Bill Kidd, SNP MSP for the Glasgow region, has today expressed his concern at new figures, published by the Work Foundation, which indicate that Glasgow is listed as one of the cities worst-affected by the recession, in terms of rising joblessness.

Regarding the number of new claimants of Jobseeker’s Allowance, Glasgow ranks third in the UK.

Between February 2008 and February of this year, the number of those seeking Jobseeker’s Allowance has increased by 40%, taking the figure to about the 20,000 mark, or 5.2% of the city’s potential workforce.

Commenting, Mr Kidd said: "These new figures are obviously of grave concern. This really is a sign of the times. 

"With Jobcentres across Glasgow having been closed in recent years, it is clear that the priorities of Westminster Labour are misplaced.

"The message coming from Westminster is really quite staggering. While UK Labour is trying to push lone parents of very young children and disabled people into taking mandatory steps toward work, which is not necessarily available in the current economic conditions, they continue to remove support for unemployed people. There is a clear incongruity here.

"Meanwhile, the Scottish Government, within its limited powers, is doing all that it can to reach out to people in this time of need. Ministers are working to improve the support provided by PACE, which provides help and support those who have been made redundant. I only hope that Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown take heed of the realities of the present and, with next week's budget, provide much-needed help for unemployed people in Glasgow, and across Scotland."

Note:

Jobcentre Plus Office Closures since 2002:

Site                    Address                                                Date  

Anniesland         31 Herschell St, Glasgow, G13 1HX       2004 
Bridgeton           40 Main Street, Glasgow, G40 1LZ        2004
Partick                20 Benalder Street, Partick, Glasgow    2004  
Springburn          Unit 25 Springburn Shopping Centre, Springburn, Glasgow 2004  
Shettleston         1682 Shettleston Road, G32 9AN        2004  
Glasgow Central 50-58 Jamaica Street, G1 4HY             2007  
Glasgow City      87-97 Bath Street, G2 2EE                   2007  
Laurieston          101/109 Devon Place, G41 1RL            2008