PRESS RELEASE : Unemployment figures – Under David Cameron, Britain’s cost of living crisis is not improving, its intensifying – Liam Byrne [September 2013]

The press release issued by the Labour Party on 11 September 2013.

Liam Byrne MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, responding to Labour Market Statistics, said:

“Today’s headline fall in unemployment is welcome, but what today’s figures expose is that while out of touch ministers are boasting, families are battling. They’re battling another fall in wages, another rise in youth unemployment and yet another rise in long term unemployment. There is simply not enough work to go round and the proof is a record high in the number of part-time workers looking for full-time jobs.

“Real wages fell yet again by £12 a week; unemployment went up across half of Britain; the youth jobless rate rose by 9,400 and long term unemployment rose yet again. There’s now been an incredible rise of 364,000 part time workers looking for full time jobs since the election.

“We can’t go on like this. Under David Cameron, Britain’s cost of living crisis is not improving, it’s intensifying.

“We need a recovery that benefits everyone, not just a few at the top. That is why Labour wants to help to make work pay by introducing a lower 10p starting rate of tax, paid for by a mansion tax, and to repeat the tax on bank bonuses to pay for a compulsory jobs guarantee for young people.”