Unemployment Figures

Last week, figures were published that showed unemployment in Dartford has fallen over the past 12 months to just 3.8% of the local population. These figures are very welcome and represent an important part of the economy that is moving in the right direction.

Although we may not be out of the woods yet, these figures are an encouraging sign that things are moving in the right direction. The massive dole-queues, resulting from public sector cuts predicted by doom-mongers, are yet to materialise. In fact, these figures show the success of the private sector in picking up the extra supply in the labour market.

Nowhere is this more evident than in our local area. I have no wish to undermine the frustration experienced by those who are genuinely and actively seeking work, but we can tentatively hope that the worst is behind us. The expansion plan recently announced by Bluewater will create as many as 1500 new jobs in the area. To put this in perspective, this is three-quarters the number of people currently claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the constituency. Bluewater’s plans for expansion come about as a result of the increase in retail sales that the Centre has recently experienced. These plans coupled with the Portas Pilot for the High Street and Lowfield Street regeneration project highlights the potential that exists in the local area.

There remains a lot of work to do and painful times ahead. We are not yet out of the economic problems we inherited. There are though signs in Dartford of progress being made to reduce the dole queues, keep people in work and ensure that Dartford is a place where people want to do business.