Eight jobseekers for every vacancy: Labour's shameful record on unemployment

Figures uncovered by Henry Vann show that there are eight Jobseekers Allowance claimants for every vacancy advertised in the jobcentre in Bedford and Kempston.

Unemployment is up 34.4% from the same time last year, with 3362 people now claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Bedford and Kempston showing the real impact of the recession.

Henry Vann said:

"This is a sad indictment of Labour's record in office and the situation we have been left in. The government's many confused initiatives are offering too little too late. Labour's recession has hit our towns hard with an unemployment rate reaching 7%.

"Bedford and Kempston needs change, and the Liberal Democrats are the only ones with the hope of tackling this problem.

"Unemployment will never go down if there are not jobs for people to apply for. The Liberal Democrats will make sure that there are jobs for people, by investment in a fully funded green stimulus, creating jobs by insulating our schools, hospitals, houses, and by investing in the infrastructure of the UK. This will reduce the burden of benefits payments, ensuring that people who can work have jobs."

Henry Vann is convinced that Liberal Democrat financial policy led by Vince Cable is the best way forward. The pledge is one of the Liberal Democrats four national pledges along with no tax on the first £10,000 you earn, a fairer distribution of education spending and reform of our political system.