Alarm at jobless jump in Ludlow

Latest figures show that 454 people are claiming job seekers benefit in the Ludlow area, which is an increase of more than 20 per cent since this time last year.

In September 2015 the number was just 368.

Whilst the present figure remains well below the 1,146 who were unemployed and claiming benefit at the height of the economic downturn in 2013 it is still a big increase in just 12 months.

It also compares with a two per cent cut in the number of jobless nationally between September 2015 and September 2016.

Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North of Shropshire Council, believes that the upward trend is a serious cause for concern.

He says that there are worries about the impact that the referendum vote to leave the European Union will have on jobs and prosperity in Ludlow and south Shropshire.

“There are potential storm clouds ahead,” said Andy Boddington.

“No one knows what impact Brexit will have on local jobs but a lot of local businesses rely on exports to European markets. Trade rules after Brexit could make sales to EU countries harder.”

He says that the increase in the number of people in Ludlow out of work is one of the biggest in the country.

“Only 31 of the 678 parliamentary constituencies across the UK have had a higher growth-rate of unemployment claimants over the last year,” said Andy Boddington.

“This is a clear trend upwards over the last year and we can’t ignore it.

“These are not huge numbers compared to the lengthy dole queues we have seen during recessions.

“But we must be concerned that unemployment is rising not declining.

“Nationally, unemployment is down 1.8 per cent over the last year. Just north of the Ludlow constituency, Shrewsbury and Atcham has seen a 7.8 per cent fall in unemployment.

“The North Shropshire constituency is up 5 per cent, still less than the 21 per cent increase we have seen in the south of the county.”

Andy Boddington believes that questions need to be asked about whether Ludlow and south Shropshire is a good place to do business.

“An analysis by the Legatum Institute ranked the prosperity of all UK local authority areas and Shropshire proves to be middle-ranking,” Andy Boddington said.

“But on business environment, we are close to rock bottom, 359th position.

“Put another way, according to this analysis, only 30 local authorities in the whole of the UK are worse places to do business than Shropshire.

“A low rate of entrepreneurship and slow broadband speeds were major factors in Legatum marking Shropshire down on its business environment, along with poor access to retail distribution services.”

“As we approach Brexit, we more than ever need a clear economic vision for our county," he said. "All we hear from Shropshire Council is about recessionary cuts not about where the economy of this county is heading. That needs to change.”

“It is always disappointing to see any increase in unemployment locally, but it is important not to place too much reliance on one month or quarter’s figures, as these can fluctuate," said Ludlow MP Philip Dunne. "Unemployment in the July to September quarter has risen in five of the last seven years, perhaps reflecting in part the addition of those school-leavers who have not yet found a job.

"I would put the latest figures in context: unemployment in South Shropshire is down 57% since the 2010 General Election, with the local claimant count at 1.2%, half the level of the UK as a whole of 2.4%.

"Since May 2010 unemployment in the Ludlow Constituency has fallen faster than the UK, has been consistently lower than for the West Midlands as a whole (currently claimants are at 3.1%), and the UK is experiencing record levels of employment.

"Of course, it is disappointing that 38 people have signed on since the Brexit vote, but the Government is taking the right approach to make the best of our future outside of the European Union. Our negotiations will work to support businesses and jobs growth across the country.”