19/04/11…………Unemployment falling – By Simone Visser

THE Henley constituency, which includes Thame, has one of the lowest rates of unemployment in the country according to figures based on those claiming Job Seekers Allowance.

The figures that were released on April 13, indicate that 752 people were claiming JSA in March 2011, which is 18 less than the previous month.

According to Thame’s MP, John Howell: ?There are only four constituencies in the country which have a lower rate of unemployment.?

John particularly welcomed the fact that there has also been a drop in unemployment amongst young people aged under 24, from 195 claimants in February, 2011, to 180 in March, 2011.

?I am glad to see the youth unemployment figure beginning to fall,? said John, ?But I fear that many young people unable to get work may simply not be claiming JSA but are scraping by on shift work.?

That is why he hopes that the public sector organisations will continue with and grow their apprenticeship programmes, as the private sector makes up 80% of the constituency’s economy.

PHOTO: John Howell MP