Unemployment Up 90% In North Durham. Much More Needs To Be Done To Tackle Unemployment

Unemployment is one of the greatest problems facing the country and one of the greatest problems facing North Durham. We need to do so much more to help tackle unemployment and the devastating impact that it has on individuals, families and communities.

Figures released today show that unemployment in North Durham now stands at 2,563. That is 90% higher than the figure of 1,345 a year ago. That means 1,218 more families now suffering the terrible effects of unemployment. Quite simply, the Government is not doing enough to help tackle the unemployment crisis in North Durham.

That is why I am calling for urgent action to address the problem.
We need to provide additional advice and support to help unemployed people get back in to work. We need to create tens of thousands new training places and create new apprenticeships. We have to offer support to local businesses to help them create jobs.

Labour have let local people down by not doing enough to tackle unemployment. More needs to be done. And more needs to be done as a matter of urgency.