STROUD MP Neil Carmichael has welcomed a further drop in both youth and overall unemployment in the Stroud district.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics last week show that youth unemployment continued to drop in June this year, with 190 young people aged 16-24 being in receipt of unemployment benefits in Stroud.

This is compared to 225 in May and 350 in June, 2013.

Overall unemployment in Stroud is at its lowest level since 2010, with 705 claimants in June, reflecting an unemployment rate of 1.4 per cent.

In June 2013 the same figure was 1,137, meaning 432 fewer claimants year-on-year.

Mr Carmichael said figures showed that the Government's tough decisions have put the country on the right track.

“Each one of those jobs is another family who can now have more peace of mind about their future,” he said.

“We must continue to work to provide more opportunities, and events like the Stroud Festival of Manufacturing and Engineering coming up in November, which works to bring together young and unemployed people with local companies, is key to helping people get skilled and get work."

Recently Neil Carmichael welcomed the Chancellor George Osborne to the Stroud Youth Centre to meet the Youth Support Team, which is provided by Prospects to help get disadvantaged young people support in skills training and education, to improve their career opportunities.