📉 Rebecca Harris MP has criticised Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves for failing working people in Castle Point after official figures show there are 99 fewer jobs in Castle Point since Labour won the general election last July.

• Official figures released today [16 September 2025] show Britain’s job market is going backwards. Unemployment is stuck at a four-year high, jobs are vanishing, welfare is rising, and wages are slowing.
• In just over a year, Labour has reversed Conservative progress on the economy, failed to take tough action to control welfare spending, and watched as opportunities disappear - including 99 fewer jobs in Castle Point.
• While Labour have killed off growth and business confidence, only the Conservatives will back the makers who create jobs, prosperity and growth.

Across the country, unemployment is at a four-year high, while the number of payrolled employees has fallen by 152,000 since Labour’s tax raising Autumn Budget in October 2024.

Meanwhile wage growth has slowed to its lowest level since 2022 as employees feel the effects of higher taxes and anti-business regulations imposed by the Labour Government.

With Labour distracted by internal squabbling and scandal, and Reform backing higher welfare spending, only the Conservatives understand that it is businesses that create jobs and build a strong economy to fund quality public services.

With families already struggling, the country is braced for Rachel Reeves’ further tax rises this autumn, making it even harder for people and businesses to get by.

Commenting, Rebecca Harris said: "Every Labour Government leaves office with unemployment higher than when they entered, and Keir Starmer is no different.

“This Labour Government has failed working people in Castle Point. There are 99 fewer jobs, wages are flatlining, and the economy is in freefall with more tax rises coming this autumn. Even No. 10's own Economic Adviser has admitted that Labour’s Employment Rights Bill will lead to fewer jobs.

“When we Conservatives left office, unemployment had reduced by over 1 million people since 2010, as we delivered our plan to get people into work and grow the economy. Make no mistake, the Conservatives are the only Party that have a plan to support the economy, back business, and create more opportunity for working people."