Unemployment finally dropping in Mid Dorset and North Poole

1.37.00pm GMT Fri 13th Nov 2009

Statistics released by the Government show that finally unemployment is decreasing in Mid Dorset and North Poole. However, those on Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) are still 93% up on last year's figures.

Annette Brooke, MP for the constituency, warned that people shouldn't become complacent particularly for the young members of the constituency. Youth unemployment remains consistently high and it can be very traumatic for young people finishing education and failing to find work.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel though. Overall, the number of claimants is down, and people are starting to benefit from the schemes and placements that have been created to assist people back to work.

October saw claimants of JSA fall by 0.2% from September to 2.7%, however, almost a third of these were in the 16-24 age group.

Commenting, Annette said: 'It is vital that enough is done to ensure that young people are eased into work. We don't want this becoming the lost generation of school and university leavers - unable to find work or a sense of purpose.

The Liberal Democrats have very strong youth employment proposals, and would fund 10,000 more university places and 50,000 more college based foundation along with introducing a new "90-day promise" after three months unemployment, instead of ten months, to make available a place in work, training or education or an internship.'