Government is out of touch - Oldham area unemployment figures show

11.28.00pm GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Vince Cable, best person for the job!

The latest unemployment figures show that the Government is completely out of touch with the economic situation facing people in the Oldham area, according to Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Mark Alcock.

The latest figures, released today, show that the total unemployment in the Oldham Local Authority area was 8.1%, the second highest rate in Greater Manchester. There were 4,473 people (3.4% of people in the Oldham area) claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in October 2008 - 769 more than a year earlier.

Mark Alcock, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham West & Royton, said, "These figures show that Government claims about there being plenty of jobs available are fanciful.

"There are now only three jobs for every four people of working age in the Oldham area. Of the few jobs available, many don't pay enough to keep a family.

"This news comes at a time when the European Commission has warned that the UK economy is likely to shrink by 2.8% this year, which is much worse than the Chancellor has predicted, and much worse than the rest of Europe.

"The Government is unfortunately right about Britain being in a unique position regarding the worldwide recession - a uniquely bad position, which will be devastating for the people in places like Royton, Chadderton, Coldhurst, Werneth, Medlock Vale and Hollinwood.

"Virtually everyone I speak to says that they wish my friend, Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable was in charge!"