Unemployment fell again in Northampton North in the month of October. Over 500 fewer people are now claiming unemployment benefits compared to October of last year and unemployment is down by over 50% since just before the last General Election. More women are in work than ever before and the youth unemployment rate has also fallen massively. However, there is still plenty more we can do to reduce unemployment even further.
One Northampton company which employs well over a thousand people is the sandwich maker Greencore. They are greatly expanding the size of their premises in Moulton Park and need to hire many new people. They have already taken on many local people through the Northampton Jobcentre in the last year. They also attended and supported my third annual “Michael Ellis Northampton Jobs Fair” in September at the Guildhall.
Greencore were in the national news in the last two weeks about looking to hire some staff from Hungary.
So last Wednesday, when I was called to ask the Prime Minister a question in the House of Commons during Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked him about this issue.
He congratulated Northampton on its improving economy. He also agreed with me that companies should always look for local workers first before looking elsewhere. There are still too many people out of work, and willing to work, and we should be looking to get these people back into work or into work for the first time. In an improving economy this of course does put pressure on companies, who will frankly often have to improve their attractiveness to potential employees in an increasingly competitive market for staff: but I believe that is exactly what they should do.
(Above: Michael visiting the Greencore factory in Moulton Park earlier in the year)