Steve McCabe MP has written to the Works and Pensions Secretary and the West Midlands Mayor urging them to take more action to tackle chronic unemployment in his constituency and in Birmingham as latest figures reveal unemployment in Selly Oak is almost double the national average.
Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show the number of unemployed claimants in Birmingham, Selly Oak constituency in April 2019 was 3,225 which is 6.5% of the economically active population aged 16-64. The rate of unemployment in Selly Oak is not only higher than the rate in the West Midlands which is 5.1% but it is considerably higher than the UK’s total unemployment rate of 3.8%.
Steve has now written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the West Midlands Mayor asking what additional initiatives are being considered to reduce unemployment in his constituency.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands promised to bring unemployment down in Birmingham and while it is falling in some areas, unemployment in Selly Oak constituency has been steadily rising since December 2017 but there appears to be no particular measured being adopted to reverse this trend and help people back into work.
Steve said:
“Unemployment in my constituency has risen again and is almost double the national average despite big promises from the Government and the West Midland Mayor to tackle areas with unemployment issues. While the May Government celebrates the national unemployment rate they must face facts that some areas are being left behind. It’s all very well pointing to the Midlands Engine initiative but the figures show this isn’t having enough of an impact. I want to know who in Government and in the Mayor’s office is looking at what can be done to improve the situation. We need more than just words and platitudes, we need a plan to create more jobs and tackle the skills gap.”
Published by