UNEMPLOYMENT levels in the Malvern Hills District have remained virtually unchanged over the past month.

Official figures show 388 people in the district – 253 men and 135 women – were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in October, or 0.9 per cent of working-age people.

This is an increase of one claimant compared to September.

But unemployment has still fallen significantly since this time last year when 489 people were on the dole – or 1.1 per cent of those aged 16 to 64.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “The latest figures show that the number of people locally claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance remains at low levels.

“Across West Worcestershire 461 people are claiming out of 54,000 people of working age, down from 1,279 in 2010.

“With full-time employees making up three quarters of the increase in employment over the past year and wages rising three per cent, it is clear that our plan for a high-employment and high-wage economy is working.

“Each week I hear of local companies creating new jobs and I hope that we will continue to support the private sector to deliver more and more new vacancies, and offer as many people as possible the security of a regular pay packet.”

Data for the whole of Worcestershire shows that 181 fewer people are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance than in September.

In Worcester the number of claimants has fallen by 85 while in the Wychavon district the claimant count has decreased by 42.

A spokesman for Jobcentre Plus said the Worcestershire figures were “amazing”.

She said: “The economy in Worcestershire is very buoyant and sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality are very positive at this time of year.

“There is so much going on across the county such as huge recruitment at West Midland Safari Park and this – along with other developments - is creating numerous opportunities for job seekers.

“In addition there is a lot of support available to help people back into work.”