UNEMPLOYMENT RISES AGAIN IN DERBYSHIRE

Unemployment figures released today have shown that unemployment has risen by 16% throughout Derbyshire between January and February and by 93%from February 2008.

Throughout Derbyshire the rises in unemployment were as follows:

• In Amber Valley, unemployment rose by 13% between January and February and by 118% from the equivalent period last year

• In High Peak, unemployment rose by 16% between January and February and by 113% from the equivalent period last year

• In South Derbyshire, unemployment rose by 21% between January and February and by 146% from the equivalent period last year

• In Chesterfield, unemployment rose by 13% between January and February and by 71% from the equivalent period last year.

Commenting Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield Paul Holmes said:

"These figures are exceptionally worrying as throughout Derbyshire, unemployment continues to rise leaving more and more families feeling the pinch of New Labour's economic incompetence.

"Although Chesterfield appears to be coping with the recession better than the areas that surround it is becoming clearer and clearer that Gordon Brown who got us in this mess does not have the solutions to get us out of it.

"We need urgent action to halt the surge in those losing their jobs, and we need to invest in new council housing and infrastructure projects such as building flood defences and rebuilding a modern Chesterfield College (put on hold for the moment by the Government!). We need to insulate our homes, hospitals and schools. What we don't need is the gimmicks, posturing and buck passing that is New Labour's only response to a crisis of their own making."