Government 'indifference' is costing jobs, insists MP McMahon

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon

Since the roll out of Universal Credit it has been extremely difficult to get a clear picture of unemployment in Oldham West and Royton.

As the information has been refined it is now clearer, and it may not be a surprise to people in the constituency that Government claims of a country thriving could be seen by many as far off the mark.

The total number of unemployed claimants in Oldham West and Royton (so excluding other Oldham constituencies) now stands at 3,170 – or 6.7%, compared to 2.9% nationally.

What’s more is that unemployment is 685 higher now than this time last year and 735 younger workers aged 18-24 are out of work, 165 higher than last year.

Brexit, in whatever deal (or no deal), may well cause stress to the economy, and Labour insist the Government have done nothing to address how fragile our regions are.

It is also known that within regions, towns significantly underperform against its neighbouring cities.

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon said: “Programmes run by the local authority like Get Oldham Working are making a huge difference thanks to the hard work of its team and willingness on the part of business to play its part in supporting our town and its people.

“But that’s in the face of indifference from government as jobs in many parts of the public sector have been slashed and private sector employment is increasingly insecure, low paid and not always offering full time work.”

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