A WYRE Forest MP has commended the work of Chancellor Gordon Brown after the lowest unemployment figures in the county were recorded.

David Lock welcomed findings that 350 people left the dole queue over the past year with unemployment levels in the area dropping by 30 per cent.

"Local workers must be able to take advantage of the good local economic conditions," he said.

"The steadily improving situation looks set to continue with figures showing 42 per cent of firms in Worcestershire reporting increased domestic sales in the second quarter of 2000."

"Also, 59 per cent of businesses are confident that their turnover will improve over the next three months."

Official statistics show almost 50 per cent local companies are forecasting an improvement in profitability in the coming year.

And just 16 per cent have reduced their workforce over the last three months.

"More people in work means more money going into local families, fewer children growing up in poverty and greater local prosperity," said Mr Lock.

"Changes such as the National Minimum Wage and the Working Families Tax Credit are making work pay with nearly 1,500 local people qualifying for the Minimum Wage."

"The Conservatives predicted it would destroy a million British jobs.

"They were wrong nationally and wrong locally."

Mr Lock stressed that despite the good news, there would be no room for complacency.

"I am seeking a meeting with union officials for the workers at Carpets of Worth to see how to retrain those who are being made redundant," he said.

"I will ensure every opportunity is made available to employees who need retraining."