A “record number of people” are in work in the East Cambridgeshire area, say new labour market statistics.

Whilst 31.77 million people are in work across the country, equating to 74.5 per cent of people nationally, the figures are even higher in East Cambs, with 79.6 per cent of people in work.

“It’s really, really good. Employment is at an all time high,” said Carly Chapman, district operations leader for East Anglia District Job Centre.

The figures, from The Office for National Statistics, state that in the past year 550,000 more people have found work, and 2.7million more since 2010.

Nationally, more women are in work - 69.8 per cent - since The Office for National Statistics records began in 1971.

“That’s the highest it’s ever been,” said Miss Chapman. “And I think that figure will be very similar in the East Cambs area.

“It’s a lot to do with our culture,” she suggested. “There’s been a change in lifestyle and preferences now.”

Another reason for the drop in unemployment is that “there’s a really good labour market in East Cambridgeshire.

“There are lots of growth areas and I think there’s so much support for people to get into work,” she added, detailing work experience placements as one specific reason for the increase.”

The number of young people in work, in particular, continues to increase in the area, thanks to government schemes and apprenticeships that are available.

The support that job centres can offer, is also important, she believes. “There’s no discrimination about age, gender, sexuality, race, religion or ability. The Job Centres are there for everybody.”

For the East Cambs area to further improve, she believes that more support should be given to disabled people in getting back into work.

Minister for Employment Damian Hinds said: “When it comes to our jobs market, we’ve made great progress since 2010 with employment up in every region.

“The rise in employment continues to be driven by full-time work, which has accounted for 75 per cent of the growth since 2010.

“It’s important that we work to keep up this momentum so more people can make the most of opportunities available out there in the economy.”