Bruce: Rise in unemployment in Gordon highlights need for greater business support (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

Bruce: Rise in unemployment in Gordon highlights need for greater business support

February 24, 2010 5:00 PM
Originally published by The Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP

Local MP Malcolm Bruce has called for greater Government support to safeguard and create jobs in Scotland after statistics revealed that unemployment in North East Scotland has risen again despite the recession having technically come to an end.

Figures published late last week show that the number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the Westminster constituency of Gordon increased by 88 between December 2009 and January 2010 and is at its highest point in over 2 years. This represents an overall increase of 75 per cent in Jobseekers Allowance claimants from January 2009 to January this year. Across Scotland as a whole, the number of people out of work grew by 10,000 over the final 3 months of 2009.

Commenting, Mr Bruce said:

"The latest unemployment figures for Scotland make for frustrating reading particularly at a time when the economy is officially coming out of recession and the UK unemployment figures are down."

"With many analysts now predicting that unemployment figures will get worse before they get better, action to protect jobs and provide those out of work with the help they need is required as urgently as ever."

"The recent announcement of a feasibility study into a possible biomass project at the former Inverurie paper-mill site is encouraging but governments in both London and Edinburgh must ensure that although the recession is ending support for businesses does not taper. This must include more movement on vital infrastructure and transport projects."

"We also need banks to be willing to stand by local businesses by freeing up credit which will in turn help to safeguard jobs."