'Low unemployment in the UK is great news but it only tells half the story' - Farron

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale has welcomed figures released today by the Office of National Statistics which showed Westmorland and Lonsdale has amongst the lowest unemployment in the UK.

The number of unemployed claimants in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency in September 2013 was 390. This represents a rate of 0.9% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64, the 648th highest of the 650 UK constituencies. (1st = highest rate of unemployment, 650th = lowest rate of unemployment.)

The number of claimants is 159 lower than in September 2012 and 71 lower than in August 2013. This data is not seasonally adjusted.

Commenting Tim said: "This announcement is great news for our local economy, but it only tells half the story. The South Lakes has a large elderly population which isn't accounted for in these figures. Furthermore, although unemployment here is low; wages are even lower because the South Lakes has such a high percentage of seasonal workers.

"Attracting fresh investment and more well paid jobs to our area is a priority of mine and I am doing all I can to support our local economy. Together we have achieved a lot but there is more we can do."