Unemployment in Bristol area rises by more than 2,000 in six months
12 January 2009THE number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the Bristol area rose by more than 2,000 in six months, a campaigner has revealed.
Chris Skidmore revealed the alarming rise in the number of claimants in the area for the period June-November 2008.
Chris' figures show that the total number of claimants rose from 6160 to 8100 by November - a rise of nearly a third for the area.
During the six-month period, the number of claimants in Bristol East rose from 1698 to 2129; Bristol North West rose from 1205 to 1505; Bristol South from 1284 to 1726; Bristol West from 1148 to 1533; and Kingswood from 825 to 1207.
In response Chris, who is also the Conservative MP for Kingswood said: "These figures reveal the shocking rise in unemployment in the Bristol region.
"We need to do more to provide help and support for those people out of work, so that they can re-enter the workplace as soon as possible.
"Nationally, Conservatives have proposed several targeted measures to help get people back into work and help small businesses that are struggling, unlike Labour who have wasted £13 billion pounds on a VAT tax con that eventually we will be paying for in higher taxes."
Unemployment Claimants, November 2008:
Bristol East - 2129
Bristol North West - 1505
Briston South - 1726
Bristl West - 1533
Kingswood - 1207
Total - 8100 (+ 2060)
Source: House of commons Library, http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2008/rp08-092.pdf
Unemployment Claimants, June 2008:
Bristol East - 1698
Bristol North West - 1205
Bristol South - 1284
Bristol West - 1148
Kingswood - 825
Total 6160
Source: House of Commons Library, http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2008/rp08-064.pdf
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