SIR – I feel that the country has taken another step forward on the road to recovery, with new figures from the Office for National Statistics showing that, since the last General Election, there are now 1.8 million more people in work, and with the security of a pay packet.

Here in Yorkshire, unemployment fell by 16,000 between March and May to stand at 222,000.

It is pleasing to see that the number of people in employment in the region is now 68,000 up on a year ago. Many of these are in Calderdale and Bradford These strong jobs numbers are another clear sign that the Conservative long-term economic plan is working, and is building a stronger, healthier economy: more people now have the security of work than ever before.

I welcome news that the number of young people relying on benefits has had its biggest annual fall since 1997.

Conservatives have been backing businesses across Britain with better infrastructure and lower jobs taxes, helping them to create more jobs, and now 1.8 million more people have the security of work.

Each one of those jobs is another family who can now have more peace of mind about their future.

Councillor David Kirton, Hipperholme & Lightcliffe Ward, Calderdale