MP welcomes further unemployment drop

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed news this morning that unemployment has fallen again in South Lakeland.

According to figures released by the Office of National Statistics Westmorland and Lonsdale's unemployment rate fell to just 1.2% of the economically active population. This meant that there were 77 fewer dole claimants than in June 2012 and 29 fewer claimants than in May 2013.

This means that there are now only 482 people receiving Job Seekers Allowance in our area. This good job news is coupled with the announcement that average earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to May and 0.2% since last month.

Commenting, Tim said: "This announcement is encouraging news for our local economy, and shows the resilience of South Lakeland's businesses to an extremely challenging economic climate. However, there is absolutely no room for complacency, and we must remain aware of the fact that the South Lakes has a large elderly population which isn't accounted for in these figures.

"Moreover, while unemployment is low; wages are often lower here than elsewhere as the South Lakes employs a higher percentage of seasonal workers than most other places in the region. This is why it is so important that we bring well paid jobs and apprenticeships to our community."