Bridget Phillipson, Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South, has called on the Chancellor, George Osborne, to deliver better support for local communities and young people after new figures show a jump in youth unemployment.

The latest unemployment figures released for the three months to September show unemployment at 2.62 million. This is the highest level it has been since July – September 1994 when it was at 2.64 million. This represents a rise of 129,000 since the previous three months.

Regionally, the unemployment has increased by 20,000 on the previous quarter and now stands at 146,000. Local residents under 25 are finding it particularly hard to find work. There are 325 unemployed 18 -; 24 year olds seeking work -; a 132 per cent rise since January 2011.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Bridget said:

“This is terrible news for young people in our area. Since January there has been a 132% rise in young people out of work for over six months. The real worry is that we are seeing the scar of long-term youth unemployment return to our area.

“Labour’s five point plan for jobs and growth would get our area moving again. Labour’s youth jobs fund, paid for by a tax on bankers’ bonuses, would get young people back into work.”