Press Release
Date 18 March 2015
Ref:
BOB DHILLON: Conservatives’ long-term economic plan bringing the security of work to more families in WASHINGTON & SUNDERLAND WEST
Bob Dhillon has welcomed new figures showing 1440 fewer people in Washington & Sunderland West claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance compared to 2010 - a 41 per cent drop. This means more people in work, with the self-respect and security of a good job and a regular pay packet.
People are getting off benefits and into work across North East, with 1188 more people in work since the last election.
Overall there are now a record 30.9 million people in work, with 1.9 million more people in work since the last election. This has been driven by businesses creating jobs, with 2.3 million new jobs in the private sector.
These new jobs are not insecure or poorly paid. Three quarters of new jobs since the last election are full-time, and as the new figures also confirm, pay is now rising above inflation - with total pay up 1.6 per cent on the year, well ahead of inflation, which was 0.6 per cent over the period.
Jobs are being created in Washington & Sunderland by businesses like George Washington Hotel.
Bob Dhillon said:
‘It’s excellent news that 1440 fewer people are relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance in
Washington and Sunderland West. Coming alongside the news that wages are rising faster than prices, it’s clear that the Conservatives’ long term economic plan is working for families in our area, helping them to be more financially secure.
‘This is happening because, working through our plan, we’ve been backing businesses with better infrastructure and lower jobs taxes to create more real jobs, and fixing welfare so that work always pays. These aren’t insecure or poorly paid jobs. In fact three quarters have been full-time and wages are rising. Locally we’ve seen this working with new jobs at businesses like Nissan.
‘Voters in Washington & Sunderland West face a clear choice on 7 May. Either we stick with the Conservatives’ plan which is delivering jobs, so more people have the self-respect and peace of mind that comes with a regular pay packet; or we put all that at risk with an Ed Miliband government propped up by the SNP, bringing economic chaos with the same old policies for more spending, more borrowing and higher taxes that got us into a mess before.’