McClarty concern over unemployment

The UUP man’s comments come as the latest unemployment figures revealed that there are 1,775 people out of work in the Coleraine Borough Council area.

“According to the data five percent of adults of working age were registered as claimants. This represents an increase of 74 people or 4.4 per cent on the figure for the same period last year, an increase of 48 people on the previous month.

“These statistics do not convey the real hardship felt by real families.

“The simple fact is that far too many people who want top work and are able to work, are unable to find a job in order to help them provide for their families, pay bills and keep a roof over their heads.”

“With the prospect of more cuts to come in the shape of the October Spending Review, I am afraid that there is no good news on the horizon.

Mr McClarty added: “I believe that the economy is the single biggest issue affecting local people, and it should therefore be the single biggest issue for elected representatives, not just in Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.

“This is the very essence of bread and butter politics, and it is the one issue which affects everyone in our community. We simply have to work together to find a way out of this recession and to get East Londonderry working again.”