Dagenham and Rainham Labour PPC Margaret Mullane, hits out at shocking rise in unemployment levels that leaves locals struggling.

The latest official figures show a jump in the number of people unemployed and claiming benefit in Dagenham and Rainham. The number of people in the constituency who are unemployed and in receipt of related unemployment benefits stood at 4,605 in March 2024. 

That represents 6.5% of the local population aged 16-64, this is much higher than the UK level of 3.9% and is an increase of 485 on twelve months ago.

Margaret Mullane, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Dagenham and Rainham told the Havering Daily: “Dagenham and Rainham is being badly let down by this Tory government. Local people are struggling to make ends meet on a month to month basis. The local community is rallying round with foodbank and babybank support to help reduce the damage being caused by the government’s economic policies.”

Margaret went on to say: “It is also alarming that the number of young people aged 18 – 24 in Dagenham and Rainham who are unemployed has also increased to now stand at 750. Young people starting out in life are finding it so difficult now to find an affordable home and need good secure jobs.

We desperately need a new start with a Labour Government with different priorities.”

These figures for the (unadjusted) claimant count show the number of people who were claiming unemployment related benefits. This includes those who were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance or were claiming Universal Credit and are required to seek work.

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