Farron: 'ONS figures show that South Lakeland has lowest unemployment in Britain'

South Lakes MP Tim Farron hailed the figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that showed that South Lakeland and Eden have the lowest unemployment rates in Great Britain. Tim paid tribute to local businesses for 'backing their staff and their community over the last few years'.

Regional Labour Market Statistics, March 2014, released this morning show South Lakeland has the lowest unemployment rate in Great Britain. South Lakeland has 2.4% of its residents unemployed, second was Eden in Cumbria at 2.8% unemployment.

The figures were from the period October 2012 to September 2013.

In a further announcement from the ONS, the unemployment figures for February 2014 were published today. They said that the number of unemployed claimants in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in February 2014 was 457. This represents a rate of 1.1% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64. The number of claimants is 195 lower than in February 2013.

Tim said: "This is great news and a testament to local business - backing their workers through tough times. I want to thank them for doing that. But as I always say these figures hide the fact that many jobs are low paid. Our mission must be to build on our recent successes and work to bring well paid jobs to Cumbria and especially South Lakeland. This is my number one mission and I will do everything I can to deliver it. We have had success, but must do more."