FIGURES from the Office for National Statistics show the number of jobseekers in the Ludlow and south Shropshire has more than halved since the last general election.

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne claims this is further evidence that the economy is getting stronger.

But Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow on Shropshire Council, said the quality of jobs available needs to be looked at.

There are 519 people claiming out of work benefits in the Ludlow constituency, down 50.76% from 1054 in May 2010.

“I am delighted to see the Government’s long term economic plan is working so well for Shropshire,” said Mr Dunne.

“To reduce by more than half the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance is a truly remarkable achievement.

"Government measures to boost business are clearly helping local people find jobs, moving off benefits and into work. This gives them peace of mind and security that comes with a job and a regular pay packet.

"I am particularly pleased youth unemployment has fallen so significantly under this Government.

Liberal Democrat councillor Andy Boddington said although this was good news the area needs to focus on getting better quality jobs.

"The ambition for towns like Ludlow has to be to create jobs that are better paid," he said.

"We need people to work in care and catering but we lose a lot of our highly skilled young people to other parts of the country. We need to create an environment where we jobs here for them."