Unemployment falls in Dartford

The most recent unemployment figures showed that unemployment in the UK fell by some 50,000 claimants with a record 30 million people now in employment. Clearly this is good news for the country and has been welcomed on all sides of the House of Commons.

Dartford has had some tough times in ensuring that there are sufficient jobs for people. The closure of Arjo Wiggins and Glaxosmithkline are still a fresh memory for those who were directly affected. Yet the most recent figures for Dartford give some cause for optimism.

Over the last twelve months unemployment in Dartford has fallen by over 15%. This is more than in any Constituency in Kent. It is particularly pleasing that amongst 18-24 year olds unemployment has fallen even faster. According to the Sunday Times economic growth in Dartford is expected to be the fifth highest in the whole country over the next five years.

Many of these opportunities have come from Bluewater which goes from strength-to-strength but others have come from a general renewed confidence in Dartford. Whether it is Portas Town awards, new housing developments or the proposed theme park, we are slowly regaining our once proud reputation of being a Kentish employment hub.

The recession has been a painful experience for Dartford and I do not claim that our economic difficulties are over but there are signs that Dartford is beginning to grow in stature in Kent as the place to live and work in.