UNEMPLOYMENT in Southampton has halved since 2010, new figures show.

A total of 2,276 people claimed unemployment benefit in the city in September, 503 fewer than the same time last year and 2,763 less than five years ago - a drop of more than 50 per cent.

It comes as thousands more people are employed across Hampshire.

In Eastleigh last month 485 people claimed the unemployment benefit, down 212 on a year ago and 952 fewer than 2010 - a 66 per cent drop.

The story was the same in other towns and cities across our region, with particular falls recorded in youth unemployment.

The news was welcomed by the county's MPs.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith, said: "These figures are clearly very good news and on the whole show a real drop in unemployment. It means that far from our economy plateauing there is real evidence that it is growing."

Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh - which recorded one of the best unemployment figures in the country with an unemployment rate which represented 0.8per cent of the economically active population aged 16 to 64 - said: " These figures are really good news and show that a growing economy is the answer to creating jobs both in the constituency and nationally.

“However, we should not be complacent, especially with youth unemployment, so I do urge local businesses to think about apprenticeship schemes for young people to help get the figure even lower.”

Youth unemployment across our region also recorded staggering drops, with an average of around 70 per cent fewer young people claiming benefit compared to 2010.

Across the Test Valley region the overall statistics showed a drop of 65 per cent in the past five years with a total of 596 unemployed people claiming benefit last month.

Romsey MP Caroline Nokes said: "I am delighted by the release of these figures. A drop in local unemployment is a fantastic achievement, not only for the Conservative government, which is clearly making good on it's promise to help people back to work, but more importantly for those who have found themselves in work, in some cases for the first time in their lives."

The figures were also praised by Winchester MP Steve Brine in whose constituency 349 people claimed the benefit last month - a drop of 22 per cent compared to last year and 63 per cent five years ago.

He said: "Obviously I am pleased Winchester has one of the highest employment rates in the country and the headline figures look very good. However, it’s the 18-24 figure, down 30 per cent on last year, which is really exciting. I think Winchester has a strong and proactive business focused council led by Cllr Stephen Godfrey and is developing with the employers a good mix of sectors that makes the local economy robust."

In the New Forest the number of unemployed people dropped 65 per cent to 596 claimants last month.

Last month in Fareham 431 people claimed unemployment benefit, 625 less than in 2010 meaning a 59 per cent drop. MP Suella Fernandez said: "We are delivering economic security and opportunity with more people in work than ever before, and strong growth in wages. There are over 600 more people in work in Fareham compared to 2010 – 80 per cent of which were full time jobs."

Neighbouring Gosport saw a 55 per cent drop with the number of job seekers dropping from 1,282 in 2010 to 577 last month.

The jobs growth in the South has been seen across the board with an increase in most sectors including construction and most significantly leisure and tourism industries.

The region also bucked the national trend by increasing employment in retail and distribution sectors.