‘Remarkable’ drop in unemployment

And the year on year figures also show the highest employment level ever recorded in the East Midlands at 2.3 million.

This week the DWP was painting an optimistic picture for employment prospects in the region.

There are currently 1,524 people claiming JSA from Mansfield Job Centre, a reduction of 22.6 per cent from September 2014 to 2015.

For those aged 18-24 there are 385 people unemployed - a fall of 31.3 per cent.

In Ashfield there are now 1,487 people claiming JSA, which represents an annual drop of 23.5 per cent.

For those aged 18-24 there are 340 people unemployed- a fall of 35.8 per cent over the past year.

The totals for East Midlands show 45,240 claiming JSA which is a reduction of 24.9 per cent since last September.

In the 18-14 age group there are 10,245 unemployed, which is a reduction of 34.6 per cent.

Andrew Madeley, employer and partnership manager at DWP Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire and Rutland, said: “These are really good figures

“The figures compared to five years ago in Mansfield show a reduction of 55 per cent for the 18-24 group and a 37 per cent drop over that period for all claimants.”

He said generally vacancies are coming available as the country starts to come out of difficult times.

He said new apprenticeships and events like the jobs fair at the Chiquito Mexican Restaurant in Mansfield where 30 employers attended were helping .