PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Paula Southwood
Date of Issue: January 24th 2009
Contact numbers:
0151 653 4975
07718 582397

MASSIVE RISE IN WIRRAL UNEMPLOYED 'DEEPLY WORRYING' SAY LOCAL LIB DEMS

Local Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul a Southwood , the prospective Lib Dem MP for Wirral South, has expressed her deep concern at a 54% rise in unemployment in the constituency since the start of the downturn in November 2007.
 
New government figures recently published show that unemployment rose right across Wirral. The figures show that there were 1,118 people claiming Job Seekers' Allowance in the Wirral South constituency in November, an increase of 54% from 726 on the same period in 2007. Across the four constituencies in Wirral, unemployment rose by 33% to 9,414.

The figures also show that unemployment has actually increased slightly since Labour came to power.
 
Commenting, Paul a said:  "These figures are deeply worrying and I am very concerned about the effects the current downturn is having on people across Wirral and especially in Wirral South. Jobs are being lost in almost every sector, from low-paid unskilled work to hi-tech jobs.
 
"Over the coming weeks, I intend to work closely with people affected by the increasing levels of unemployment to see what can be done to help them.
 
"I will also be contacting Wirral Council's economic development officer as soon as possible and working with other colleagues to find out what help can be provided at this difficult time."