Unemployment rises in Ashfield

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics have revealed that unemployment in Ashfield has risen for the third successive month in a row.

The number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance in Ashfield rose by 96 in February 2014, an increase of five per cent on the previous month.

Overall the total number of unemployed claimants in the district now stands at 2,186, after December, January and now February all reported increases compared to the previous months.

This trend means there are now 331 more people out of work now than there were back in November last year, a huge increase of 18 per cent in just three months.

Ashfield MP Gloria De Piero said that it is time for the Government to take action and halt the increase.

“In the week that we’ve had the Budget and the Chancellor of the Exchequer talking about a recovery, in Ashfield all we’ve seen is unemployment go up for the third month in a row,” she said.

“If these figures don’t act as a wake-up call to the Government then nothing will. It’s now getting to the stage where it’s not just a blip but a growing pattern and while I welcome any fall nationally, I want to see ministers take decisive action to put a stop to the growing number of people out of work in Ashfield.”