Employment figures hit a record high in the region

Employment in the North East stands at 1.231million or 73.4 per cent – an increase of 2,000 over the quarter and 27,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 75.4 per cent nationally.

Unemployment in the region stands at 63,000 or 4.8 per cent – a fall of 5,000 over the quarter and 20,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 4.2 per cent nationally.

The claimant count stands at 57,700 or 4.7 per cent in the North East. The national claimant count rate is 2.4 per cent.

Paul Carbert, North East England Chamber of Commerce policy adviser, said: “There are some really positive figures for the North East this quarter.

“The region has the highest level and rate of employment and lowest level and rate of unemployment since comparable records began in 1992. There is also a healthy fall in the economic inactivity rate, the largest drop in the country.”