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LOCAL POLITICIANS’ DISMAY AT ‘JOBS BLACKSPOT’ WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
West Dunbartonshire MP Gemma Doyle and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie have expressed dismay at recent job stats showing West Dunbartonshire as the most difficult place in the UK to find a job.
A recent study by the TUC showed that there were over 31 people chasing every available vacancy in West Dunbartonshire. The second worst blackspot was Middlesbrough, in the North East, with almost 24 people for every job.
West Dunbartonshire MP Gemma Doyle said,
“These figures should be a wakeup call. This shows how much of a challenge people from West Dunbartonshire are facing trying to get a job. The Tory Government is putting pressure on people to get back in to work but there simply aren’t enough jobs out there. The SNP Government have abandoned us by excluding West Dunbartonshire from their new enterprise zones.
“People in West Dunbartonshire can and do look for work in Glasgow, but it’s not good enough to tell people to get on their bike. Local bus services have been slashed and travel costs are continuing to rise making the situation worse. Labour councillors had a budget plan to create 1000 jobs, that would make a huge difference to our area and I’m waiting for a meeting with John Swinney to discuss the Scottish Government’s response. This is a great place to live and work and bring up a family. We need to make sure there are jobs here so people can do that.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie added,
“The latest statistics demonstrate just how tough it is for people seeking work in West Dunbartonshire.
“Most people in this area want to work, but unfortunately there are just so few jobs available.
“The SNP Government had an opportunity to help West Dunbartonshire with the enterprise zones, however despite having one of the highest rates of unemployment in Scotland, West Dunbartonshire was denied this opportunity which could have helped create new jobs in this area.
“Locally, politicians are working tirelessly to create jobs. It is deeply disappointing we are receiving so little support from the SNP Government. I look forward to meeting with John Swinney to find out what his plans are to tackle the unemployment crisis in our area.”
More information is available from http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-20779-f0.cfm