Devon & Cornwall unemployment spirals-action needed now urges Torbay MP

Unemployment figures today reveal another staggering rise in jobseeker claimants across the South West. 

Torbay

in particular has suffered with almost 300 being made unemployed in December.

A total of 3163 new claims for state help were made in Devon and

Cornwall

in December, 1852 in Devon and 1313 in

Cornwall

.  All areas have been affected but Torbay and

Plymouth

are suffering most with 2250 and 4176 unemployed respectively.

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has highlighted the pressure on small business as one of the key factors and has called for local and national action to improve the situation.

Councils have discretionary powers to offer a reduction in business rates to businesses that apply and they should be exploring a mechanism to put this in place.  Other measures can include a reduction or abolition of on street parking fees and a focus upon shopping locally.

Adrian

commented: “The rise in unemployment is no surprise but things can and must be done. Pressure on central Government has convinced them to increase credit guarantees for small businesses but there are still delays in this being implemented.”

“Locally businesses and employees are suffering from the short term approach of local authorities.  All councils have reserves just for a rainy day and the steady deluge of unemployment requires them to act.  In places like

Torbay

not giving businesses a break in the short term will irreparably damage local economies in the long term.”

“The one silver lining in the black cloud of the recession is that the weak pound and the credit crunch will hopefully bring a welcome boost to the domestic tourist industry in the South West.  As a key contributor to the economy, this sector could well provide a glimmer of hope.”