Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has welcomed another drop in jobless figures.

He said the latest fall, in his own constituency and nationally, was further evidence that the economic recovery was taking hold.

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that the number of unemployed claimants in Keighley and Ilkley dropped by 47 last month to 1,767 – down 654 compared to a year ago.

Youth unemployment also fell last month, by 47, to 415.

Nationally the number of people out of work fell by 133,000 to 2.2 million in the three months to March.

And the figure for those in work rose to 30.43 million.

Mr Hopkins, the housing minister, said: “Coming in the wake of news that the Bank of England has now upgraded its growth forecast for the UK economy next year, these figures are hugely positive.

“Because we are sticking to our long-term economic plan, jobs are being created, wages are going up and businesses are feeling increasingly confident about their prospects for future expansion.

“I am particularly pleased that real progress is being made in tackling youth unemployment in Keighley and Ilkley, which was and remains a top priority for me as the local MP.

“As ever, there is no room for complacency and we must continue to work hard to maintain the economic momentum we have created.”