More people in the East Midlands are returning to work, according to the latest Government figures.
The unemployment rate reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) fell to 4.8% in the February to April period this year, down 0.4% compared to the previous three-month period and only 0.1% above the UK average.
However, it remains 0.9% higher than the unemployment rate for the same quarter in 2020.
Nationally, the number of job vacancies in March to May this year was 758,000 – just 27,000 below pre-pandemic levels.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The jobs market appears to be moving in the right direction, with yet another decline in the unemployment rate alongside an increasing number of vacancies and people on payroll.
“For much of the pandemic, the East Midlands has suffered disproportionately, with a significantly greater proportion of people in our region out of work than across the UK, so it’s a relief to see the gap being narrowed.
“This trend no doubt reflects the reopening of outdoor hospitality towards the end of this…
