One of the most important factors in economic recovery is the number of people in work – and here in Hammersmith & Fulham there’s good news.

Office of National Statistics figures show that unemployment is down in both of our Parliamentary constituencies. 817 fewer people in Chelsea and Fulham constituency are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance since 2010 - a 43 per cent drop; and 1,548 fewer people in Hammersmith, a 42 per cent drop. This means more people bringing home a regular pay packet – with the self-respect and sense of security that a good job brings.

The news is also good across our city and country as a whole. Across London people are getting off benefits and into work with 470,000 more people in work since the last election.  Across the UK a record 30.8 million people are now in work, up by 1.75 million since the last election.   In fact, a new milestone has been reached with the unemployment rate falling below 6 per cent for the first time in six years – that means more people with the stability and security of a job, able to provide for themselves and their family.

Furthermore, these jobs are not insecure or poorly paid. Three-quarters of the new jobs that have been created since the 2010 election are full-time and wages are rising faster than inflation with regular pay (not including bonuses) going up by 1.8 per cent and inflation at 1 per cent.

This is happening because Conservatives in government have been taking action to fix the economy, backing businesses to create more jobs with better infrastructure and lower jobs taxes to create more jobs, and fixing the welfare system so that work always pays.

To have a prosperous Hammersmith & Fulham, we need a strong economy nationally. The Conservatives have a plan to deliver that, which as the statistics above demonstrate, is already working. All the other parties would put those jobs at risk.

Read more columns by Councillor Greg Smith .