Unemployment has seen the largest annual fall since records began over 40 years ago.
The number of unemployed people is now below 2 million for the first time since 2008, figures published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show.
The number of unemployed people in the East Midlands fell by a further 5,000 in the three months to August.
It means the region now has an unemployment rate of 5.5% – half a percentage point lower than the UK rate of 6%. There are now 48,000 fewer unemployed people in the East Midlands than there were 12 months ago and 83,000 more people in work.
The number of Jobseekers Allowance claimants in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire also fell by 1,701, to 43,309 in September. There are now 20,013 fewer claimants than there were in September 2013, when the total stood at 63,322.
Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “All of our reforms are focussed on helping people into work. There are 83,000 more people in work in the East Midlands than this time last year, which shows that the Government’s long-term economic plan to help businesses create jobs and get people working again is proving successful.
“Behind today’s figures there are countless individual stories of people turning their lives around, of families who are now feeling more secure with a regular wage, and of young people escaping unemployment and building a career.
“We know there is always more to do, which is why it is vital to stick to delivering a plan for full employment that’s creating growth and jobs.”
