Steve McCabe MP (Birmingham Selly Oak) is calling for greater government action to tackle unemployment in constituencies like Selly Oak which already experiences higher unemployment than the national average and stands, according to the government’s own analysis, to be among the hardest hit in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
Figures released today show that 6.7% of people in Birmingham, Selly Oak are currently unemployed. This is considerably higher than the national figure of 3.7% and the figure is rising. There are 585 more unemployed claimants in the constituency now than this time last year, and 15 more since July 2019. There is also evidence that youth unemployment remains a particular problem, with 665 of Birmingham, Selly Oak’s claimants aged 18-24, 130 more than was the case in August 2018.
It is possible that this problem could get much worse. Government impact studies have forecast that the North East of England and the West Midlands will see the largest economic slowdown as a result of Brexit, with the West Midlands predicted to take a 13% hit on economic growth in the event of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal.
Commenting on the figures, Steve McCabe MP said:
“Unemployment has been rising in my constituency over the last 12 months, ideally I’d have liked an opportunity to raise this with Ministers at the Department of Works and Pensions but Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament for 5 weeks has deprived me of that opportunity. Instead of searching for solutions to persistent unemployment in constituencies like mine, this government is adding to the jobs threat with its reckless gambling over a No Deal Brexit. I’m doing my best to improve the situation including organising a Jobs Fair at the end of this month but frankly I don’t think this government is interested in constituencies like Selly Oak otherwise they’d be letting Parliament get on with its job and fighting to keep those jobs we already have in places like Selly Oak.”
To sign up to attend Steve’s jobs fair, please follow this link:
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