Alan Whitehead

Labour Party | Southampton Test

CITY UNEMPLOYMENT CUT IN HALF SINCE 1997

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, has welcomed the publication of new labour market statistics that show a 52% drop in Southampton Test in people claiming jobseekers allowance since 1997.

In 1997 there were 3211 people claiming jobseekers allowance in Southampton Test.  Today the figure is 1530 - a drop of 52%.  Combining the numbers for both Southampton Test and Southampton Itchen, there has been a 48% total drop in unemployment in the city, or 3046 less people claiming jobseekers’ allowance.

Figures published today also show that nationally, the total number of people on jobseekers allowance, incapacity benefit and lone parent benefit has fallen by 900,000, though constituency breakdowns for the latter two benefit claimant types is not yet available.

Dr Whitehead said:

“The fall in unemployment over the last decade really shows what a difference politics can make.  Ten years ago people said politicians shouldn’t get involved in the market at all, and that a certain level of unemployment was structurally necessary.  We’ve shown that by making sure people get access to training and support when they need it, and by taking difficult measures to get people off benefits and back into work, we can cut unemployment and give many people back their independence.”

“But we must still do more to improve the rights of people in work, particularly temporary and agency workers.  There is still exploitation and criminally low wages being paid, right here in Southampton.  We must do more to crack down on illegal gangmasters and offer more protection for people working on temporary contracts.”

Jim Murphy Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform said:

"Since 1997 the numbers on Jobseeker’s Allowance, incapacity and lone parents’ benefits have fallen by over 900,000 and they continue to fall. Today’s figures show that the number on Jobseeker’s Allowance has now fallen for 10 out of the last 11 months.”

“Our welfare reforms, combined with a strong economy, are helping more people to come off benefits and look for work - but we are determined to go further still, and to break for good the cycle of poverty and dependency.”

“We can be proud of our record on helping people back to work over the last ten years. We know there is much more to do - but while Labour is prepared to listen and learn to meet the challenges ahead, the Conservatives are showing they have learnt nothing in the last ten years.”

“They still oppose the New Deal and would cut Labour’s investment in helping people back to work.”