MP questions Minister about ‘massaged’ employment figure

06.12.05

New figures obtained by Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Edward Davey, show that the proportion of people in Kingston and Surbiton coming off Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) and moving into work has been steadily falling over the last 6 years. 

Now only 22% of those coming off JSA in Kingston and Surbiton are moving into work.

- The proportion of people in Kingston and Surbiton moving from JSA into work (compared to other destinations) is steadily falling, from 140 in September 1999 to 65 in September 2005.

- The total number of people moving into work in Kingston and Surbiton dropped by 46% September 1999 and September 2005.

- The remainder of those moving off JSA either failed to sign on or moved onto other benefits (e.g. incapacity benefit, income support).

Edward Davey said,

“The claimant count for the country as a whole has now risen for the ninth month in a row, but the Government are under pressure to keep unemployment as low as possible.

“Something strange has been happening to the figures over the last six years.  We assume that people come off jobseekers allowance because they find work; however that is proving increasingly rare.  If only 22% people coming off JSA are now moving into jobs, then what is happening to the rest?

“The last Tory government was damaged by the revelation that people were being pushed off the unemployment roll and onto incapacity benefit to massage the numbers in their favour. We need to look very carefully at what is going on to make sure that the same sleight of hand is not now happening again.

“I have written to the Minister for Work asking her to provide the Government’s response to this very serious charge.”