PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed a drop in the number of out-of- work people in the borough. The number of unemployed Jobseekers’ Allowance claimants in Pendle, in December 2013, was 1,512. The number of claimants was 520 lower than in December 2012, and 43 lower than in November 2013. Mr Stephenson said: “It is great to see a big fall in unemployment across Pendle, with the rate down to just 3.6per cent compared to 4.9per cent just a year ago. “With several local employers advertising new vacancies, and big expansions by local companies like Wellocks, who plan to take on an extra 100 people, I hope these significant falls in unemployment will continue.”