The number of people in Staffordshire who are receiving benefits for being unemployed is far below the national scale.

National statistic have been released detailing that unemployment claimant figures for Staffordshire sit at 0.9 per cent for June 2017, far below the national figure of 1.7 per cent.

This also means that the figure has been below one per cent since March 2016.

Mark Winnington, the economic growth leader at Staffordshire County Council, has explained that even though this news is positive, there is still plenty to do.

Mr Winnington said: "We have had near full employment in Staffordshire for many months which speaks volumes about the county's economic strength and its position as a place that generates opportunities.

"We must now continue to ensure better paid and better skilled jobs are being created. We are focusing our support on increasing the right type of skills for Staffordshire people which employers need.

"A skilled workforce attracts and retains business. We're also involved in major business development projects which mean significant additional investment.

"This summer we have seen progression of development at sites like Meaford near Stone, Liberty Park in Lichfield, Redhill in Stafford, Kingswood Lakeside in Cannock and at Keele Science and Innovation Park. These sites will create yet more jobs for Staffordshire people in months and years to come."

Throughout July, almost 5,000 people in Staffordshire claimed unemployment benefits, which includes job seeker's allowance and universal credit.

This is a massive increase when compared to more than 12,000 who claimed in July 3013, 2.3 per cent of the county’s population.