Low unemployment figures are testament to businesses and residents - Farron

Figures released today show that our area again has the 4th lowest unemployment rate in the UK. This news has been welcomed by South Lakes MP Tim Farron as a 'testament to local businesses and residents'.

The unemployment figures for September 2014 were published today at 9.30am by the Office for National Statistics.

The number of Jobseeker's Allowance claimants in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in September 2014 was 249.This represents a rate of 0.6% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64, the 647th highest of the 650 UK constituencies. (1st = highest rate of unemployment, 650th = lowest rate of unemployment.)

The number of claimants is 141 lower than in September 2013 and 7 lower than in August 2014. This data is not seasonally adjusted.

Tim said: "The low unemployment rate is very encouraging news for the South Lakes and is a testament to local businesses and residents.

"But even though we have incredibly low unemployment we face other challenges - lower than average wages, higher than average house prices and lots of seasonal work.

"Over the last few years we have worked to secure investment, boost apprenticeships and to work with businesses to create more jobs."