Unemployment figures have continued to tumble in Coventry and Warwickshire, with almost 300 people signing off in November.

Only North Warwickshire recorded an increase in the number of claimants, 11, as the sub-regional unemployment rate dropped to 2.6 per cent.

The number of vacancies fell overall, but this excludes seasonal work in distribution, hotels and restaurants.

This has led to increased confidence among firms in the area about their prospects for 2001.

Chamber analyst Gareth Brown said:

“When making comparisons with twelve months ago there are now 1,291 less claimants in the sub-region, and that can only be a positive when it comes to overall confidence.

“Leading up to the busy seasonal period there are many short-term vacancies that will be filled to aid the service sector.

“This is reflected in the figures for November as the distribution, hotel and restaurant industries reported 3,922 vacancies to the employment Service of which 3,551 are officially not filled.

”The buoyancy in the service sector is also highlighted in the Chamber fourth period economic review with 69.6 per cent of companies expected increased turnover over the seasonal period.”

The biggest drops in claimants was in Rugby, where 56 people signed off – a decrease of 6.2 per cent. Other large drops were in Nuneaton and Bedworth with 44 fewer claimants (3 per cent) and Coventry: 174 drop (2.9 per cent).

The number of vacancies across the sub-region fell by 17 per cent compared with October, from 4.240 to 3,504. Only Stratford and North Warwickshire recorded a rise.