Figures published yesterday by the Office of National Statistics showed that the unemployment rate in the UK is at a new 5 year low with more people now in work than ever before thanks to the tough decisions taken by the Conservatives in Government.

Locally the economic recovery is having an impact – since the last general election in 2010 the amount of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) has fallen.  In Southwark the JSA claimant count has fallen from 4.8% in April 2010 to 3.7% in April 2014 and in it has fallen in Lambeth from 5.2% in April 2010 to 3.9% in April 2014.

Figures published by the House of Commons Library show a sharp drop in the JSA claimant count in the Dulwich & West Norwood parliamentary constituency with the total JSA claimant count falling by 25.9% over the last year. The figures also show a drop of 26.9% in people aged 18-24 claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

Leader of Southwark Conservatives Cllr Michael Mitchell commented on the figures saying “The Conservatives long-term economic plan is having a positive impact on the local jobs market. These figures also show that people who have been on job seekers allowance for 12 months or more is down 21.2% in the last year – because there are now more jobs out there. These figures show the Conservative deliver for local residents”.

Produced by Oliver Wooller on behalf of Dulwich & West Norwood Conservatives, both of 495 Norwood Road, London, SE27 9DJ