Employment in the West Midlands has grown faster than anywhere else in England over the past 12 months, according to new Regional Labour Market figures.

More than 75,000 jobs were created in the region between June 2017 and June 2018. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 2.1% rise in employment year-on-year in the region, using comparison figures from May 2017 to July 2017 and May 2018 to July 2018. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

"The latest figures again underline the progress this region is making in terms of job creation. Between June 2017 and June 2018, there were 75,000 new jobs created in the wider West Midlands.

"Significant challenges remain, however. While job numbers are rising and the economy is growing, unemployment remains stubbornly higher than elsewhere and youth unemployment is particularly challenging.

"However, we have a major opportunity following the decision by Government to allow the West Midlands to be the first region to retain some of the underspend from the Apprenticeship Levy, which means we can focus support on creating even greater numbers of apprenticeships in our key industries."

The ONS publishes the latest regional labour market statistics in the UK each month to help gauge how some aspects of the economy are performing.