May 19 2015.


New local MP Maria Caulfield has welcomed the latest figures showing the number of unemployed claimants in the Lewes constituency area is 227 lower than in April 2014 and 65 lower than in March 2015. (Data are not seasonally adjusted).

Maria says: "This means more people in work, with the security of a job and a regular pay packet."

Three quarters of new jobs since May 2010 are full-time, and as the new figures also confirm pay is now rising above inflation, with the total pay up 2.1 per cent on the year, well ahead of inflation, which was 0.9 per cent over the period.

Maria continued: “Over the course of a year, 227 fewer people relying on Jobseeker’s Allowance in the Lewes constituency is excellent news, particularly alongside the news that wages are rising faster than prices, meaning a more financially secure future for working people in our area.

“This is happening because we’ve been working through the plan of backing businesses with better infrastructure, lower jobs taxes to create more real jobs, and fixing welfare so that work always pays. These jobs are not insecure or poorly paid. In fact, across the country, three quarters of new jobs have been full-time and wages are rising.’