PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed a fall in the number of people in the borough claiming unemployment benefit for more than a year.

In the past year, numbers in Pendle claiming the main out-of-work benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, for more than 12 months fell by 45 per cent.

Mr Stephenson said: “It’s fantastic news that long-term unemployment in Pendle is falling faster than across the UK as a whole. A smaller number of people who are fit to work are out of work for more than 12 months and need more help to get them back into a job. The last Labour Government just parked people on benefits.

“I am working closely with our local Job Centre and this Government’s reforms are giving people the tailored support they need to get a job again. It’s already bearing fruit.

“It’s also great news that the number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming for over 12 months has dropped by 45 per cent in the last year alone.