Cathy Jamieson MP

Kilmarnock and Loudoun

Rise in Unemployment

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Cathy Jamieson has called on the Government to change course following the news that unemployment has risen in Kilmarnock and Loudoun for the third month running.

The new figures show that long term youth unemployment is up 29% since the start of the year. The over 50s are suffering too with 37% more people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun on benefits for over six months since January 2011.

The figures also show that Scotland is faring worse than the rest of the UK with nearly a quarter of a million Scots now out of work.

Cathy said:

“When I questioned David Cameron about rising unemployment in November he admitted that the number of people out of work was too high and that it he wanted to see it come down.  Yet two months later the numbers have risen even further and only confirm what families in Kilmarnock and Loudoun already know – that we are facing an unemployment emergency.

“This is new proof that the Government is cutting too far, too fast and that their welfare to work programmes are clearly failing.

“Complacent and out of touch Ministers need to wake up to the jobs crisis they're responsible for and take urgent action now.”