Parties clash over jobless

THE number of people in dole queues across Oldham fell by more than 230 in the last month.

Figures published yesterday show there are now 7,371 people claiming job seekers allowance (JSA) — down 232 from 7,603 the previous month.

A breakdown of the Office for National Statistics figures show 4,390 people had been claiming the benefit for less than six months. Only 1,275 have claimed for more than a year.

Nationally, numbers claiming JSA fell by 32,900 to 1.54 million — a much sharper fall than expected.

However, overall unemployment across the country rose to 2.5 million during the three months to February, up 43,000 on the previous count.

Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “These figures show just how vital it is to keep up support for jobs and the economy this year until the recovery is secure.

“Many people are still having a hard time as a result of the recession. February was a tough month and overall unemployment rose. But March figures for the claimant count show a drop — the fourth drop in five months.

“It would be disastrous to cut back on public spending and support for the economy right now as the Tories have promised.”

Ministers had predicted some increases in unemployment in the run up to summer before further falls in the second half of the year.

Ms Cooper said unless job support continues unemployment would keep rising long after the recession ends, as experienced in the 1980s.

However, Tory Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Theresa May said the figures proved Government welfare policies were not working.

She said: “Unemployment is now at the highest level for 16 years. This is grim news for tens of thousands of families up and down the country.

“But we also see the number of people in a job has fallen and long-term unemployment has gone up so I think this is a clear sign the Government’s policies aren’t working.”

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said: “Labour’s record speaks for itself as unemployment is now higher than when they came into office.

“It underlines just how fragile the UK economy is and exposes the folly of Tory plans to pull the rug from under the recovery.

“Without a strong and concerted plan of action to support jobs and businesses, the fallout from the recession will be with us for years to come.”

Catch up the with candidates at www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/elections/