THE fall in unemployment confirms small firms’ hiring ambitions says Neil Eames, development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses, Wessex Region.

Commenting on the number of unemployed people falling to 2.21 million, Mr Eames, said: “Today’s fall in the unemployment rate to a five year low is further positive news on the economy. “It confirms what our members have been telling us about their recruitment intentions over successive quarters. Self-employment continues to increase with more and more people setting up in business and becoming freelancers. “The data underlines that small firms are key to getting people into work and it is vital the supportive enterprise environment is maintained to continue the momentum.”