NEWS that unemployment in Keighley and Ilkley has dropped again has been welcomed by Conservative MP Kris Hopkins, who was also happy to see that wage growth is outstripping inflation.

Figures yesterday by the Office for National Statistics showed the total of unemployed claimants in Keighley and Ilkley was down by 39 in February to 1,412. This is a fall of 486 compared with a year ago.

Nationally, the jobless total dropped by 102,000 to 1.86 million in the three months to January.

Mr Hopkins said: “This is another positive set of figures with the number of people in work now at an all-time high. Every new job means another wage and a real contribution to our economy’s return to good health.

“I am especially pleased that pay has risen by 1.6 per cent in comparison to this time last year. This is more than five times the current rate of inflation, which has fallen to 0.3 per cent. People’s wages go further.”