Total number on out of work benefits down by one million since 1997

The latest figures show that: - The number on Jobseeker's Allowance is down 99.8 thousand on the year and down 8.5 thousand in July to 855.3 thousand - The number on incapacity benefits is 2.66 million, down 43 thousand in the year to February 2007, its lowest level in over 7 years - The number on lone parent benefits is 771 thousand, down 6 thousand on the year. - Employment is 29.07 million - up 93 thousand on the quarter and 144 thousand on the year Flint said: “This is a very strong set of figures: the total number on the main out of work benefits - Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapacity Benefits and lone parent benefits - has fallen by over one million since 1997. Employment is at near record levels and unemployment is down again. But we are determined to do more. That's why our Green Paper sets out our plans for helping those who have yet to take up opportunities in the labour market. This is central to our strategy for achieving 80% employment in this generation and eradicating child poverty.”