MP welcomes fall in unemployment rate

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed today's unemployment figures from the Office of National Statistics, which show a further fall in the number of unemployed people in Westmorland and Lonsdale.

The number of unemployed people in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in March 2014 was 391. This represents a rate of 1.0% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64, the 643rd highest of the 650 UK parliamentary constituencies. (1st = highest rate of unemployment, 650th = lowest rate of unemployment.)

The number of claimants is 200 lower than in March 2013 and 66 lower than in February 2014. This data is not seasonally adjusted.

Tim said: "Further falls in the number of people out of work is good news for South Lakeland, although the figures are not seasonally adjusted so they need to be greeted with some caution. They do not reflect seasonal work.

"Our area has a much lower than average unemployment rate, but that is no comfort to those seeking work. I am working hard with local businesses to encourage them to take on apprentices and take advantage of schemes to assist with employing people. I am also working with further education providers to make sure learning opportunities to support apprentices and other workers is available."