Cameron hails fall in number of people out of work

The Prime Minister, who received a boost from the latest official figures showing falling unemployment and rising wages, said he was “determined to go further” in creating more jobs.

Chancellor George Osborne said his plan for the East of England region will result in 250,000 more jobs by 2020. Mr Cameron, who will deliver a speech in Felixstowe, highlighted the region’s strengths in the science, defence and energy sectors.

He said: “Our long-term economic plan is working in the East of England. The region has 80,000 more businesses and the fastest growth in employment in England outside London.

“Nearly 200,000 more people have the financial security that a job and regular pay-packet bring since 2010.

“I am determined to go further and we will keep working through our plan to secure a brighter future for hard-working people across the East of England by making the most of the region’s strengths in science, defence and energy, ensuring we have world-class infrastructure and backing business to create more jobs.”

The visit comes after official figures yesterday showed the UK’s jobless total dipped by 97,000 in the quarter to last December to 1.86m, almost half a million down on a year ago, while employment increased by 103,000 to almost 31 million, the highest since records began in 1971.

Speaking at the Port of Felixstowe, in Suffolk, Mr Cameron said the Government would push ahead with road and rail improvements in the east of England as well as upgrading broadband.

He added that there were plans to capitalise on the region’s strengths in science, defence and agriculture.

“We’re taking steps to improve quality of life in the region - this means more homes, better education and making the most of what the region has to offer for tourism,” Mr Cameron said.

“All of these steps are about one thing: creating growth and jobs.”