Numbers on Job Seekers Allowance down in Blackburn with Darwen

Unemployment, as measured by those claiming Job Seekers Allownace (JSA) have fallen again in Blackburn with Darwen. The rate stands at 4.4%, There were 87 fewer claimants in April compared with March and 106 fewer comapred with April 2012.

Commenting on the figures, Lib Dem Leader David Foster said, "It is encouraging that there has been a drop in the figures and hopefully it shows us signs that the economy is starting to pick up, but the worrying aspect of this month's figures is the rise in the number of long term unemployed, up by 250 last month."

Liberal Democrats are working to build a stronger economy and a fairer society enabling everyone to get on in life. We want to see British business thrive and have the confidence to take on more staff.

While it is disappointing that overall unemployment is up, it is good news that youth unemployment has fallen as that will be encouraging for young people who are looking for work.

To build a stronger economy in a fairer society, Liberal Democrats have been focusing on giving young people the skills and experience necessary for a successful career.

That is why Nick Clegg has introduced the £1bn Youth Contract that will ensure young people have the opportunity to earn or learn and Business Secretary Vince Cable has overseen the creation of more than 1m apprenticeships.

• There are 434,000 more people in work today than there were last year.
• From the same period last year there has been an overall drop in unemployment of 92,000.
• There were 958,000 unemployed 16 to 24 year olds, down 17,000 from October to December 2012.
• The number of people employed in the public sector was 5.72 million in December 2012, down 20,000 from September 2012. The number of people employed in the private sector in December 2012 was 24.01 million, up 151,000 from September 2012.
• The JSA claimant count for April 2013 was 1.52 million, down 7,300 from March 2013 and down 67,800 from a year earlier.