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Latest unemployment figures for Cornwall “disappointing news”: Sheryll Murray

LATEST figures showing unemployment in Cornwall has risen to more than 10,000 have been described as a “grave concern” by a local campaigner.

Sheryll Murray was responding to official figures released for the month of January, which showed unemployment across the county has risen by around 700.

The figures, released on Wednesday, showed the number of people in Cornwall out of work and claiming benefit had risen to 10,300 – an increase of more than 1,300 compared to the same time last year.

The rise means that, in percentage terms, 3.3 per cent of Cornwall's population is unemployed – a higher proportion than the UK average which stands at 3.1 per cent.

In response Sheryll, the Conservative Prospective MP for South East Cornwall, said: “This news is disappointing for families and communities across Cornwall.

“The county already has to contend with below average earnings. In 2008, the average (median) full-time gross weekly earnings in Cornwall for men were 21 per cent below the national average, while female full-time earnings were 13 per cent below.

 “We can not go on like this.  Cornwall simply can not afford another five years of Gordon Brown and this Labour Government.

“Cornwall needs and deserves to have a strong voice in Westminster to ensure the best interests of the people and communities are best served, which only the Conservatives can offer. We are on your side, not on your backs.”

 ENDS

Notes for Editors

For more information, please telephone Sheryll Murray on 07703 838851

19th February 2010