MP Calls for Action as Greater Manchester's Long Term Jobless Count Rises Again

1.32.00pm GMT Thu 28th Jan 2010

The rate of long-term unemployment has reached a ten year high across Greater Manchester, despite a drop in overall numbers claiming unemployment benefit, according to new figures obtained by Withington MP John Leech.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of people unemployed for more than 12 months has risen to 10,575, its highest level since March 1999. In Manchester there are now 2,400 long-term unemployed - the worst figures since March 2004.

John Leech hailed the news as a warning against any complacency, despite overall unemployment falling slightly from around 82,500 in September 2009 to 80,750 in December:

"More needs to be done to help all those who are getting caught in long term unemployment throughout Greater Manchester."

The news comes as the Liberal Democrats unveiled plans to reduce long-term youth unemployment, by guaranteeing that all young people will get access to more training, education, an internship or a place on a work programme within their first 90 days of being on Jobseekers' Allowance.

John Leech commented:

"In particular younger people are finding it more difficult to find jobs and many are graduating from school, college or university without first getting the right kind of training to take their first steps into the job market.

"We are promising training, education, or work experience to give hope to the nearly one million young people across the country who currently can't find a job. We also pledge to redirect over £3.6bn of spending to create more jobs and invest in infrastructure, helping those of all ages who have find themselves trapped by the recession.

"While the economy begins to show signs of recovery, we need to act quickly and decisively to tackle long-term unemployment; otherwise those who are caught up in it will find themselves left behind."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The latest unemployment figures released by the Office of National Statistics, relating to December 2009 for Greater Manchester can be found in the attached table, broken down by local authority.

The Liberal Democrats plans to tackle youth unemployment were announced by Nick Clegg MP on 20th January 2010. The plans form part of the Liberal Democrats' economic stimulus and job creation package.

To pay for the stimulus package, a Liberal Democrat government would remove Tax Credits from higher earners (£700m), scrap the intercept modernisation program (£150m), restricting growth in the Train to Gain budget (£375m), scrap the Child Trust Fund (£370m), cut the Highways Agency Major Improvements Budget (£1.08bn) and introduce a 10% banking levy (£1bn), totalling £3.6bn. In the first year of the new Parliament, the party would use this money to create jobs and invest in Britain's infrastructure. In following years, this money will be reallocated to other Lib Dem spending priorities and to reduce the structural deficit.