Alison Seabeck MP

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MP Warns Of Economic Meltdown In Plymouth

Alison Seabeck MP has warned that Plymouth faces a potential economic meltdown as national figures released yesterday show that unemployment is at its highest level in 17 years.  

Alison said

” In my constituency there are 273 more people looking for work than this time last year.  That means that nearly 6% of the population who could be working are unemployed with little prospect of finding alternative employment”.

She added

“ I am worried that levels of unemployment are set to get worse.  In Councils across the South West a total of 15,600 jobs have been lost since May last year.  Plymouth only accounts for 1,454 of this total, yet we have heard this week, that a major restructure of Council jobs will be taking place leading to more jobs losses.  This is on top of jobs already lost in other parts of the sector, with more likely in the future from companies like Remploy who support disabled people”.  

“Plymouth is heavily reliant on the public sector and I have yet to be convinced that the private sector has been given the support to make up the shortfall and keep Plymouth growing economically.  I am still picking up from local business concerns that the banks are not lending on the scale that the Government is suggesting”.

“I will be lobbying the Government to invest in Plymouth’s industry to avoid an economic meltdown in the region.  We need this Government to commit to investing in our existing industries such as those in the Dockyard but also to support emerging sectors such as renewable and creative industries, which are fundamental to Plymouth’s aspirations for economic growth and prosperity. The Government has shown a lack of understanding of Plymouth’s needs as was demonstrated by the failure to award us with a Local Enterprise Zone, urgent action is needed to rectify this situation”.

ENDS