Unemployment for local Oldham East and Saddleworth young people remains at almost double the national average

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Data released by the House of Commons Library shows there were 1,200 people aged 18-24 claiming unemployment support in June 2021 across the Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency.

That's equates to 13.9% of the local population, compared to the UK rate of 7.6%.

Across all age groups there were 5,905 actual claimants across the constituency in June 2021, that is 2,570 more people than in March 2020, before the first lockdown.

That’s equivalent to 9.0% of the Oldham East and Saddleworth population, aged 16-64, compared to a UK rate of 5.6%.

Responding to the data, Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said:“The Government’s failure to secure the recovery has seen record long term unemployment and young people in my constituency are suffering unemployment at almost double the national rate. 

“Across the country nearly half a million people have been unemployed for a year yet the Restart jobs scheme has been live for just three days.  

“Labour has a plan to buy, make and sell more in Britain so we can create the jobs of the future, nurture the skills we need and get our economy firing on all cylinders. 

“Labour's jobs promise would guarantee a job or training opportunity for any young person away from work or education for six months, and ensure no one is away from work for more than a year.” 

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