On Wednesday, the ONS released its unemployment figures for August.
I’m so pleased to report that the number of people claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance in Amber Valley is now 2.2%, compared to 4.9% at the time of the election. That means that 1,151 are now off benefits, in work or starting their own businesses as a result of the difficult decisions that we have taken, and in turn, the recovery of the local and national economy.
What’s even more encouraging is that youth unemployment here – which was particularly problematic under the previous Government, when it was 9.7% in May 2010 – is now 3.9%.
These are encouraging figures, but we need to do more. To make good on the Chancellor’s pledge for full employment, we must continue our long-term economic plan.