Figures released today by the Department of Work and Pensions reveal that unemployment in Castle Point has been cut by a third in a single year and is down to 1.7% of those able to work, almost 4% less than the national average.  The numbers of unemployed young people and people who are long term unemployed have also both halved since December 2013.

Across the UK there are now 1.75 million more people in employment since 2010 with wages rising faster than inflation. The new figures show regular pay rising by 1.8 per cent on the year, and private sector pay up 2.2 per cent – well ahead of inflation.

Castle Point now has over 400 fewer people claiming jobseekers allowance than it did in December 2013 and 55 fewer claimants than in November 2014. In welcoming the latest figures local MP Rebecca Harris said:

“We are grafters in Castle Point, and this is further proof that the people of our borough, particularly young people and those who have been out of work for a long time, are taking advantage of the opportunities the economic turnaround has given them.

“It’s actually quite amazing to think how far our economy has come on the road back to prosperity in the last five years.

“But now is not the time to deviate from the path, we need to stick to George Osborne’s long term economic plan and ensure we keep up the sustainable growth our economy needs.”

Rebecca Harris was also keen to point out that the number of apprenticeships in Castle Point has increased in the last year. Mrs Harris stated:

“Last year in Castle Point we had 720 people begin a new apprenticeship. Apprenticeships provide people with the skills they need to get a start in life and find a rewarding, fulfilling career. Next May voters in Castle Point will face a choice: between the competence of sticking with the Conservatives’ plan which is delivering a more secure future for families - where more people have the self-respect and peace of mind that comes with a regular pay packet - or putting that all at risk with the economic chaos a vote for one of the other parties would bring.”