TODAY'S UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES ARE THE FINAL NAIL IN THE COFFIN FOR NEW LABOUR'S ECONOMIC CREDIBILITY

12.00.00am GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Liberal Democrat MP for Chesterfield Paul Holmes has today slammed the Government for their weak response to the economic crisis, following the publication of unemployment figures that show that like for like (comparing December 2008 to December 2007) unemployment has risen in Chesterfield by 37%.

Just from November 2008 to December 2008 local unemployment has increased from 3.2% to 4.4% (National Average 6.1%), as the national recession begins to accelerate.

Commenting Paul Holmes said:

"Figures like these are the final nail in the coffin of New Labour's economic credibility, with unemployment nationally soaring towards the two million mark. At 1.92 million unemployment is already at the highest level since Labour came to power in 1997 and a disastrous level of 3 million being tipped for the end of 2008.

"In Chesterfield we will certainly see recorded unemployment increase again in next month's figures, as the effects of national closures such as Woolworths and Adams continue to work through the system.

"Chesterfield had got unemployment down to well below the national average (currently 6.1%), in recent years but now Gordon's recession is beginning to bite hard locally. Areas like Bolsover (4.8%), Derby South (6.6%), and Erewash (4.5%), are being hit even harder than we are.

"Since this economic crisis began, Gordon Brown has been wedded to ineffective gimmicks rather than the action needed to halt unemployment and get our economy back on track

"In the midst of an economic recession only Gordon Brown would be foolish enough to waste £12.5 billion on a failed VAT scheme, to go on a whistle stop 'recession' tour but only meet with Labour party members and to promise to create 100,00 jobs out of the blue.

"These figures reveal the true legacy of New Labour to the people of Chesterfield and Derbyshire, a failed economy, rising unemployment and a morally bankrupt Government."