Worst jobless records under Labour term

Mar 19 2009 By Adrian Pearson, The Journal

THE North East is suffering under the worst jobless records since Labour came to power.

In the three months up to January, unemployment went up by 165,000, with 5,000 more people now out of work in the North East.

Nationally unemployment now stands at 2.03 million, the worst figure since Labour formed a Government in 1997.

The rise of 4.8% across the region means 109,000 are out of work, with the 8.6% unemployment rate the UK’s highest.

It comes after warnings from top economists that the North East economy will shrink by 3% this year.

Malcolm Page, deputy chief executive at regeneration agency One North East, said the statistics were "concerning and continue the upward trend we have seen for several months now".

Mr Page added: "The North East, like the rest of the UK, is in the grip of a global recession, but One North East and its partners are playing a leading role in supporting businesses and people at this tough time."

At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, the PM said for anyone losing their job it was "a matter of personal regret for me and this Government".

Mr Brown added the Government would do all it can to help people back to work. But North East MP Vera Baird caused some controversy when she claimed that the "green shoots" of economic recovery will start appearing "before very long".