Women In Sutton Hit Hard By The Recession.

11.19.07am GMT Thu 21st Jan 2010

Local MP Tom Brake has expressed his shock at a report in the Evening Standard which shows a steep increase in the number of women claiming jobseekers allowance in the London Borough of Sutton.

On Monday this week the Evening Standard published a report showing that women in London have been hardest hit by the recession with a 90% increase in the number claiming JSA since the credit crisis hit.

Worryingly Sutton has had the third sharpest rise, with the number increasing by 141 % between April 2008 and November 2009.

Tom said of the report, 'These figures show a steep rise in unemployment from the start of the recession, admittedly from a low base but it is very concerning to see how many women have been affected by the current economic climate across London and here in Sutton.

Sutton was also listed in the top five London Boroughs with the highest rate of increase in men claiming JSA for the same period.

Tom continued, 'The Government needs to do more to tackle the rise in unemployment and the large number of people who are now unemployed for long periods of time. People face up to a 12 month wait before they get the chance to get extra training or professional support to find a job from Jobcentre Plus. The Liberal Democrats believe everyone should get help, as soon as they lose their job, to

find another one and we want to change the way Jobcentres help people find work. I will be raising this matter in Parliament and will ask the Government what they are doing to help the large numbers of women claiming JSA to find employment.'

'Here in Sutton we are taking positive steps to help fight unemployment locally. The work of Sutton's Economic Recovery Taskforce, which links together the efforts of Sutton Council, local businesses, the Citizens Advice Bureau, voluntary sector organisations, government departments and Sutton's MPs, will remain vital to helping people during the recession.'