A COUNTDOWN has been officially launched to a third annual jobs fair in Keighley.

The event, held by the town's MP Kris Hopkins, takes place at Keighley College on March 10.

Steeton-based Acorn Stairlifts – which is among the businesses supporting the fair – was represented at last Friday's (Jan 20) launch, at the college.

It took place just two days after latest figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that Keighley's jobless total had fallen again.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the parliamentary constituency, which includes Ilkley, fell by ten to 1,005 last month.

Nationally, the total dropped by 52,000 to 1.6 million in the three months to November – the lowest level for more than a decade.

Mr Hopkins said: "It is very good news that Keighley and Ilkley residents are continuing to find work, bringing great benefit to their lives and helping our economy.

"It is also worth noting that average weekly earnings increased by 2.7 per cent over the last 12 months, meaning those in work are taking more money home.

"But we must continue to maintain our efforts to enable more people to enter employment or training.

"Final preparations for my next Keighley and Ilkley jobs fair are now well underway, with more businesses signing-up each week and new enquiries from job seekers every day.

"Alongside real vacancies ready to be filled there will also be a large number of apprenticeships on offer including from our hosts, Keighley College, which expects to have up to 200 apprenticeships available this year."

South Craven MP, Julian Smith, has also welcomed the latest jobless figures.

In his Skipton and Ripon constituency, the number of people claiming key out-of-work benefits has fallen by 547 – or 53 per cent – since 2010.

He said that across the Yorkshire and Humber region, 207,000 more people are in work than seven years ago.

And he added that the employment rate amongst woman was at a record high.

"We start the New Year with another encouraging set of figures which show the strength of our economy as we step up to the challenges of 2017," added Mr Smith.

"The unemployment level nationwide is at its lowest in over ten years.

"We have made real progress creating a strong economy and will continue that work as we build a country that works for everyone."

Heather Barraclough, of Jobcentre Plus, said the continuing fall in unemployment rates was to be expected, but that many temporary jobs would be ending this month.

"Hopefully we can get these people back into some employment as quickly as possible," she added.

For further information about the jobs fair, contact Mr Hopkins on Kris.hopkins.mp@parliament.uk or 01535 211152.