Unemployment in Sutton is down by more than a third compared to last year, new figures show.

Statistics released yesterday (Wednesday, July 16) show there are 1,984 people claiming job seekers allowance (JSA) in Sutton, a drop of 33.8 per cent compared to June last year when there were 2,997.

Matthew Hitchin, district operation manager for south London for the Department of Work and Pensions, said: "It's down to the work we're doing with Job Centre Plus and the work we've done with local authorities by getting out there with vacancies.

"Certainly the labour market is strong at the moment and that has helped.

"I definitely think we can continue the trend and bring unemployment levels down further. There are huge projects coming up in the area and they will help."

Just 1.6 per cent of the population in Sutton claims JSA compared to 2.6 nationally.