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 unemployment.

The latest unemployment figures released for the month of July show a 37,100 increase in the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance. This brings the total number of people aged 18 or over claiming Jobseekers Allowance nationally to 1.56 million.

Regionally, the North East is the worst hit region of the UK with 10 per cent of people out of work. Locally, a further 112 residents of Houghton and Sunderland South are registered as unemployed. Bringing the total to 2,608 or 6.7 per cent of local people. Residents under 25 are finding it particularly hard to find work. The numbers of unemployed 18 – 24 year olds rose in July – bringing the total to 985.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Bridget said:

“It’s clear from the figures released today the Government’s Plan A is not working. Our economy needs high levels of growth if we are going to reduce our deficit and we and not seeing that.

“George Osborne needs to rethink his plans for the economy. We need stronger support for our local community, in particular initiatives to stop the alarming rise in youth unemployment. Labour’s plan would have seen investment in schemes such as the Future Jobs Fund, which would have helped support people into work .”