Bob Ainsworth has uncovered worrying statistics which show that the number of 16 to 24 years olds in Coventry who have been claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) for 12 months or more skyrocketed over the last year.
The figures, which emerged in response to a parliamentary question asked by Bob, show that the number of 16-24 year olds who were claiming JSA for 12 months or more in Coventry North East constituent increased from 45 in May 2011 to 180 in May 2012, a 300% increase in just one year. In Coventry as a whole the number jumped from 115 in May 2011 to 405 in May 2012, a 250% increase.
These statistics come on top of figures released last month by the Office for National Statistics which showed that the proportion of the working population in Coventry claiming JSA stood at 4.8%, which was 0.9% higher than the national average.
Bob said:
“Last month we were given the worrying news that the JSA claimant count in Coventry is persistently higher than the national average. Now we learn that the long-term JSA claimant count amongst young people in our city has skyrocketed over the last year.
“These figures are a wake-up call for the Tory-led Government and show they need to change course on the economy now.
“The Government needs to take urgent action and implement a sustainable growth plan that targets support to areas, such as Coventry, where JSA claimant counts are high.
“It is clear that we need to get people back to work and off benefits, or the scar of unemployment will do long term damage in our area.”
Bob Ainsworth MP 