Business leaders have welcomed figures that say unemployment is falling across Coventry and Warwickshire.
In Coventry, the number of JSA claimants fell to 8,183 from 8,494 between September and October and in Warwickshire they dropped from 6,814 to 6,389 – their lowest level since August 2008.
Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said it was yet more positive economic news but said there was still more work to be done.
She said: “This is encouraging news and very much reflects the surveys we have undertaken with business over recent months.
“Many companies we have spoken to have said they intend to take on new staff and expand and we are seeing that in the unemployment figures.
“But we should be under no illusion that this trend will just persist without continued hard work and pro-business policies, which we hope to see more of in the Autumn Statement next month.
“As it is Export Week, it is worth saying what a crucial role our international trade will play in the months and years to come in bringing down the unemployment figure still further.
“Companies who export are more likely to grow and, therefore, it’s important that many more businesses do utilise the services of the Chamber and UKTI to see how they can sell their goods and services overseas.
“Also, we do have to strive to solve the skills crisis and that means a range of organisations including Government, schools, colleges, universities, LEPs and, of course, businesses all working together to deliver the skills that our growing companies need.
“We want unemployment to carry on falling and the economy to keep on growing but that means a continued, concerted effort.”
