Unemployment in Coventry and Warwickshire has reached an all-time low and there are more vacancies than ever.

Figures from Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber show that last month the number of claimants dropped by 5.6 per cent, from 11,706 to 11,055. This leaves the unemployment rate for the sub-region at 2.7 per cent, well below the national average of 3.6 per cent.

This contrasted with the first national rise for two years.

Unemployment fell most significantly in North Warwickshire, by 803 per cent (57 claimants), Nuneaton and Bedworth 7.6 per cent (121) and Warwick 6.9 per cent (99).

Claimants also fell in Rugby by 6.4 per cent (62), Coventry by 4.8 per cent (302) and Stratford by 1.4 per cent (10).

Coventry was the only area to record a rise in the number of vacancies, with an increase of 23 per cent in the amount of unfilled positions.

Chamber analyst Gareth Brown said booming times in nearby towns were having a knock-on effect in Coventry.

He said:

“Employment agencies from the outlying areas are contacting the Employment Service with temporary posts in warehouses as the Rugby job market is saturated.

“Up to fifty people at a time are being transported free of charge to these posts and are therefore responsible for the rise in reported vacancies.

“With Christmas just around the corner, and Coventry city centre acting as a central point for seasonal shoppers in the sub-region it is inevitable that short-term posts are going to be on offer.

“They will for the majority of the 400 reported vacancies within the retail sector and the service sector, in order to deal with seasonal demand.”