24 August 2009

Murphy: Latest unemployment figures encouraging, but no room for complacency

Paul Murphy MP has welcomed the latest unemployment figures for Wales, which dropped by 2,000 in the last three months.

The latest figures for Wales and the UK published by the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of people unemployed in Wales has fallen again.

This month's statistics showed that unemployment fell by 2,000 over the quarter. The total number of people unemployed in Wales stood at 108,000 - an unemployment rate of 7.6 per cent compared with a UK average rate of 7.8 per cent.

Speaking from his Pontypool office, Mr Murphy said:

“There is no room for complacency, but these latest figures are encouraging for Welsh people and the Welsh economy. They not only demonstrate that fewer people are finding themselves out of employment, but that many are finding new positions. I am pleased for those individuals and families back in work.”

“But this is no time to rest on our laurels. We must continue to work hard to steer Wales out of the recession, to help families facing difficulties, and to ensure that employment continues to grow.”

“It is sometimes difficult to follow the measures being implemented to help you. Whether you are a homeowner having difficulty in paying for your mortgage, a worker seeking employment or a business with cashflow problems, it is my priority to help you. You can contact me on 01495 750 078 for advice on what is available to help you.”

Paul Murphy added:

“Our priority over the last year has been to ensure that the effects of the global downturn are kept to a minimum. Innovative measures were introduced swiftly by the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly to help face this unprecedented recession, and I am pleased that these schemes have made an impact.

The Welsh Assembly’s ProAct scheme, allowing companies to apply for a wage subsidy and extra training allowance totalling up to £4,000 per worker, has helped around 4,500 individuals so far.”

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said:

“Having seen unemployment figures in Wales in 4 successive sets of figures either flat-line or improve, this is looking increasingly like an improving trend rather than a blip.

“When I welcomed last month's figures, I cautioned that recession still has some way to go. That of course is still the case, but today's figures show that Wales's relative performance has continued to improve - and that's extremely encouraging in the light of the intense efforts that the Assembly Government has made to counter the impact of a global recession.”

Site designed and developed by Public Impact

Site promoted and issued on his own behalf by Paul Murphy MP. 73 Upper Trosnant Street, Pontypool, Torfaen NP4 8AU.
This site is paid for by the Communications Allowance available to MPs. Site admin