A drop in the number of people claiming jobseekers allowance in Carshalton and Wallington is another welcome boost to the economy, local MP Tom Brake has said. On 15 November, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported the UK has seen the largest annual fall in the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) in more than 15 years. In Carshalton and Wallington the JSA claimant count in October showed a fall of 21.5 per cent, compared to the same time last year. It means the number of people claiming the benefit fell by 438 to 1603.

Tom said:-

“Local unemployment has been falling for 8 consecutive months now. This is a very encouraging trend and a sign that the economy is slowly healing while people are helped off benefits and into work. Jobs are crucial to building a stronger economy and a fairer society. Liberal Democrats in government have helped business create more than a million private sector jobs, and now we are working to help create a million more. There is still more to be done particularly as people are still struggling with rising costs. I will continue to support local job creation by organising events like the recent jobs fair and by helping make Carshalton and Wallington an attractive place to start up and expand business”

Across the UK, the number of people now in work has jumped by 378,000 in the last year to a record breaking 29.95 million. For more detailed information about unemployment in Carshalton and Wallington, please check here