South Lakeland unemployment drop is welcomed by MP

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed another unemployment drop in the South Lakes.

This morning the Office for National Statistics announced a drop in unemployment by 82,000 between August and October this year, the biggest drop in a decade.

The number of unemployed claimants in the Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in November 2012 was 533. The number of claimants is 41 lower than in November 2011 and 14 lower than in October 2012.

Tim is campaigning increase the number of well paid jobs to the South Lakes and was involved in the successful bid to bring the £500million GlaxoSmithKline development to Ulverston.

Tim also helped secure two local bids that have received major funding from the Regional Growth Fund. The grants will help secure 400 jobs in the local economy at Windermere Steamboat Museum and James Cropper plc in Burneside.

In addition, Tim has been involved in securing success for Cumbria's bid in DEFRA's Rural Growth Network which will bring investment to Clawthorpe Hall in Burton-in-Kendal, Ambleside Campus and Marl in Ulverston. The successful campaign to bring the University of Cumbria back to Ambleside will also create 100 jobs and bring up to £15 million investment into the South Lakes economy.

In addition, Tim is championing apprenticeships in our county. Tim wants to make 2012 the 'year of the apprentice' in Cumbria. So far over 3,200 people have started an apprenticeship since August last year. This adds to the 5,280 who were on an apprenticeship in 2010/2011, representing an increase of 58% on the previous year. In Westmorland & Lonsdale the apprenticeship figures have risen by 96%.

Commenting Tim said: "This announcement is encouraging news for our local economy, but only tells half the story. The South Lakes has a large elderly population which isn't accounted for.

"Furthermore, although unemployment is low; wages are often lower here 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."