Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has responded to the rise in unemployment in the Caerphilly constituency.
The number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in December 2011 was 2,726.
This is the 136th highest of the 650 UK constituencies. This is 215 higher than a year ago and 15 higher than in November 2011.
Mr David said: “I am extremely worried by the trend upwards in unemployment. The private sector is clearly not employing people who no longer have employment in the public sector, as the Government promised. In Questions on Wednesday, the Prime Minister was unable to say when he thought the unemployment figures may come down.
“The figures today are doubly worrying because they come only a day after the bad news that Peacocks is likely to go into administration. Also, they are of great concern because unemployment in Wales as a whole has actually fallen slightly.”
In Islwyn, the number of claimants in December 2011 was 2,198 – an increase of 313 in a year.
Wayne Davis is right to be concerned but the job seekers allowance claimants are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more people, who would like to work, who are recorded in other categories. These include training, long term sick, in receipt of occupational pensions, etc. There are also many young people who, rather than sign on, decide to stay on in school or college as there are no jobs available locally.
After many changes to the way of recording the number of unemployed over the last 30 or more years, by successive governments, the figure officially ‘on the dole’ is far fewer than the number of actual jobless people.
dare we be politically incorrect and ask how many eastern Euopeans are working in the Caerphilly area?
Well I am unemployed and retraining to do something I love. I am not claiming any benefits and never have. However, today I was asked by a Council Official whether I worked. I said: No. He said I should be claiming benefits.
I was taken aback by this. I thought he would appreciate me not being greedy, but no, he acted like I was being an idiot for not claiming and said it would be wise for me to do so.
What a strange world we live in.
So, now I shall claim. Sorry taxpayers.