UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen by 20,000 in Yorkshire and the Humber, according to new figures.

Despite the fall since last month, statistics revealed unemployment has in fact increased in the region by 157,000 since 2010.

Official figures show that unemployment has remained at 4.3 per cent in the UK, the lowest rate since 1975.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, also show that 32 million people in work.

Increases in full-time and permanent work are behind the figures. In the last year the number of people on zero hours contracts fell by 20,000.

Damian Hinds, minister for employment, said: “The strength of the economy is driving an increase in full-time, permanent jobs and a near-record number of people are now in work thanks to the Government’s welfare reforms.

“When unemployment fell to five per cent early last year, many people thought it couldn’t get much lower, and yet it now stands at 4.3 per cent.

“Everyone should be given the opportunity to find work and enjoy the stability of a regular pay packet.”