Local Lib Dems respond to new unemployment figures

10.59.31pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 18th Oct 2009

Stuart Bonar (right) with Lib Dem Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary Steve Webb MP. Unemployment nationally stands at almost 2.5 million.

Figures released earlier this week confirm that in September 6,807 people in Plymouth were claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. This is up from 3,942 in September last year; an increase of 2,865 or 73 per cent. It is also up 128 or 2 per cent on the previous month, August.

Responding to the new numbers, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Plymouth Moor View Stuart Bonar said:

"More local people are losing their jobs. That is very bad news for them, and for our city.

"The Government needs to nurse the economy through the recession and into recovery. That's why Conservative plans to slash public spending as quickly as they can are wrong-headed. Their 'cut now' plans would run the very real risk of turning recession into depression. That would be very bad news for everyone."