Record-breaking employment figures have been praised by a Harrow MP.

Conservative Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, welcomed the news that the number of people in work across the UK has reached a record level

The Office of National Statistics released figures for the three months to July on Wednesday, also revealing the rate of women in work is at the highest level since comparable records began, and that there are nearly 700,000 more people in work in London than in 2010. 

In Harrow East, the number of people claiming the key out of work benefits has fallen by more than 1,000 - a 58 per cent drop - since 2010.

Mr Blackman commented: “The number of people in Harrow East relying on the key out of work benefits has fallen by nearly 60% since 2010, which is remarkable.

“This means businesses have been able to get more people into work thanks to the decisions taken by the Conservatives to strengthen our economy.

“Of course we know there is more to do to build an economy that works for everyone, and we will continue to work hard to help even more people benefit from the opportunities in our economy.”

As well as employment continuing at a record-high, Wednesday’s figures show that the unemployment rate is holding steady, average wages are growing ahead of inflation, and the number of children living in workless households is down. 

However, the number of families using food banks is also at a record level, with around a quarter of people using them in work but not earning enough to keep themselves and their family fed.

According to Oxfam, around one in five people in the UK live below the poverty line.