Latest employment figures released, today, by the Office of National Statistics reflect the health of the British economy.
Employment is up and unemployment is down.
Nationally the number of people working has risen by 608,000 in the last year.
Those registered as unemployed has fallen by 486,000, while those claiming unemployment related benefits has fallen to the lowest level since May 2008.
Behind these statistics are human stories and real lives being changed for the better. The long term unemployed, at last, enjoying the security and satisfaction of a job and a wage. The school leaver finding a place in the world with career prospects. The single parent being able to provide that little bit more.
Sandwell has seen the biggest fall in unemployment in the West Midlands outside Birmingham.
In the last year, 3508 people in the borough came off the unemployment register.
There was good news too for those people in work. Nationally average earnings including bonuses rose by 2.1% in the last year and inflation is at an all time low. This means more to spend and wages going further and buying more.