Winchester unemployment drops slightly - but no grounds for complacency

12.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Oct 2009

The number of people claiming job seekers allowance in Winchester fell in September by 52 from 1,305 to 1,253 - although this level remains nearly twice as high as it was in September 2008 (651).

Almost all parts of the Winchester District saw unemployment stable or falling, with noticeable drops in Fulflood and Denmead. The areas which have been hit hardest by the recession: Winnall, Highcliffe and Stanmore saw small increases.

The level of unemployment amongst the under 25s remains disproportionately high at 365 (29% of the total).

Winchesters' Liberal Democrat Prospective MP, Martin Tod, commented:

"It's good to see unemployment fall, but it's too soon to say that we're out of the woods. Unemployment fell in June as well, but then rose sharply in July and August.

"We also can't ignore how high current levels are. While Winchester is better off than many parts of the country, our unemployment levels are still nearly twice what they were a year ago - and it's a real concern that it was the areas with highest unemployment that saw an increase this month.

"I'm really concerned by our levels of youth unemployment. It was something I discussed with Vince Cable when I saw him last week. When companies stop hiring, it's very often the young who are worst affected. We have to help young people get their first step on the employment ladder. That's why we're proposing to scrap the pointless VAT cut and use the money to fund extra university and college places, create more apprenticeships and introduce a paid internship scheme.

"We also need to be supporting green jobs, particularly helping the large number of people who've been thrown out of work in the building industry. We need to better insulate homes in our area, and rather than a car-scrappage scheme, I'd like to see the boiler-scrappage scheme that has been suggested to support people who want to cut their energy bills and get a new more efficient boiler for their home."