Local MP Alex Cunningham has today demanded action following another shocking rise in long term youth unemployment in Stockton North, demonstrating that the Tory-led Government’s economic policies are hurting but not working.
New figures released today show that in the last 12 months there has been an appalling 93% rise in people aged 18-24 on the dole for six months or more. Overall unemployment has also increased again, up by 336, with the total just teetering below 4,000.
The problems don’t rest there. The numbers of jobs around are few and far between with more than 10 people chasing each vacancy in the area.
In the North East, unemployment has also increased by 11,000 in the last three months and now stands at 153,000.
Alex MP said:
“Long term youth unemployment is now hitting crisis levels in Stockton North with 405 out of work for more than six months. It means there are now 1275 unemployed young people and it is totally unacceptable that young people are being denied the opportunity to reach their potential and get on the career ladder.
“Last month the Tory-led government told us how the labour market was stabilising, but today’s figures now confirm we have an unemployment emergency. In America, Germany and Japan unemployment is either flat or falling. This is new proof that the Government must change course.
“Tax rises and spending cuts that go too far and too fast have choked off the recovery and backfired. The Government is now set to borrow £158 billion more than planned – more than £6,500 for every household in the country. This isn’t borrowing to support the economy through difficult times, but a huge new bill for failure.
“The Government must change course and adopt Labour’s five point plan for jobs, including a tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people and a temporary VAT cut to help people struggling with rising prices and kick-start the economy.
“Complacent and out of touch Ministers need to wake up to the jobs crisis they’re responsible for and take urgent action now”.
