PRESS RELEASES

Wednesday, 12th October 2005

Growing Unemployment Likely To Impact on the Economy

The claimant count, which measures unemployment as those out of work and claiming benefit, increased by 8,200 to 875,500 in September, the eighth consecutive month that it has edged higher, though there was little evidence of inflationary pressure on pay, as the growth in average earnings and bonuses, remained unchanged, according to official figures published on Wednesday. More: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b940be1e-3a77-11da-b0d3-00000e2511c8.html 

   Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting, Stephanie Dearden said:-

Growing levels of unemployment are likely to have a knock-on effect on consumer spending and the housing market. The UK economy is now growing well below the Chancellor's predictions and his continuing complacency is distressing. Today's figures continue the longest period of increasing unemployment in the last 12 years.

ENDS 

  Stephanie Dearden

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting

Notes to editors

1. More: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/b940be1e-3a77-11da-b0d3-00000e2511c8.html   
2. If you would like to arrange an interview with Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Tooting Stephanie Dearden then please call 020-7771-2551 or 07985-649807 or 07754 583090
3. Official photographs here http://www.stephaniedearden.org/smd_mugs/index.htm