Steve McCabe MP (Birmingham Selly Oak) is calling for urgent investment in jobs and skills in his area after latest figures show that unemployment in his Selly Oak constituency has risen by 31% within a year.
Figures released today by the Office of National Statistics show that 6.5% of people in Selly Oak are currently unemployed and seeking work, nearly double the UK average of 3.8%. The figures show the total number of unemployed claimants in Birmingham, Selly Oak constituency has risen month on month since December 2017 and is now 31% higher than it was this time last year.
The MP says the Government is failing areas with long-term chronic and stubborn unemployment which need extra resources and opportunities to bring unemployment down. The gap between areas of high unemployment and low unemployment is still not being addressed, when it comes to this kind of stubborn unemployment the Government cannot use one single approach to fit all areas of the UK.
Last month Steve wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the West Midlands Mayor to ask what is being done to tackle areas with persistent unemployment. He is also holding a Jobs Fair and is in touch with employers in the local area to promote job creation in Selly Oak but says we need proper investment in skills and jobs if we are to make an impact.
Commenting on the figures, Steve McCabe MP said:
“The number of people who are unemployed and looking for work in my constituency has risen every month since December 2017 and is actually 31% higher than it was this time last year, this is shocking and the government can’t continue to ignore areas like mine that need investment in jobs and skills. I hope the Work and Pensions Secretary and the Mayor will acknowledge that there is a real issue in some areas with stubborn unemployment and work with me to create initiatives to tackle this head on.”
Published by