Figures from the independent Office of National Statistics show that the number of unemployed claimants in the South West Bedfordshire constituency in August 2017 was 575. This represents a rate of 1.0% of the economically active population aged 16-64, the 577th highest of the 650 UK constituencies. (1st = highest claimant rate, 650th = lowest claimant rate.)The total number of claimants for Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit is 15 lower than August 2016 and 10 lower than July 2017.
Commenting on the figures South West Bedfordshire MP Andrew Selous said:
“I am delighted to see that more people locally now have the security of a monthly pay packet as they go out to work. There are now 3 million more people in work and 1 million more businesses than in 2010”.
“There are more people in work than ever, unemployment has fallen to the lowest rate for over 40 years and to the lowest level ever for young people. Vacancies were at 774,000 in the three months to August 2017, up 24,000 on the year.
“I am also delighted to see Sovereign Partners taking a major lease in Leighton Buzzard as well as the Old Palace Lodge in Dunstable creating more jobs through building more rooms.”