Henry Smith MP has welcomed the latest figures showing that the youth unemployment rate in Crawley has fallen to 1.8 per cent.

Henry said;

“I’m pleased that the youth unemployment rate has fallen once again. This means that more of our young people are getting the security of a job, and are able to start saving for their future.

“Across all ages, the overall unemployment rate is down by 30 per cent in the last year, and by 62 per cent since 2010.

“Additionally, average earnings (excluding bonuses) have now risen by 2.7 per cent over the last year."

Nationally, long-term unemployment is at its lowest since June 2009, after falling by 219,000 in the last year, supported by the Work Programme.

Employment is up by over 400,000 in the past year across the United Kingdom, and has increased by more than 2 million since 2010.

Henry continued;

“There’s more to do. This Government will be playing its part - over the course of the parliament, the tax-free Personal Allowance will increase further, to £12,500.

“Since 2010 this has already seen more than 26 million people benefit, with over 3 million taken out of tax altogether. The typical taxpayer is paying £825 less in income tax as a result. The Personal Allowance has already risen from £6,475 in 2010, to £10,600 today.

“Local companies are able to take on more staff thanks to initiatives such as the £2,000 Employment Allowance, which the Prime Minister has confirmed will continue.

“Creative Pod, based in Manor Royal, have grown from one member of staff to 12, over the last five years. This is the kind of growth we are seeing across Crawley and around the country.”