Unemployment stays high in Dunston and Teams

Unemployment in Dunston and Teams ward in the most recent figures shows the number out of work and in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance remain amongst the highest in Gateshead at 289, or 8.9% of the working population.

The figures for August reveal that only one other ward in Gateshead, Bridges, has a higher unemployment rate (293 - 10.2%).

Whilst the Dunston and Teams ward shows a fall from August 2006, the rate is more than double the Gateshead average and over three times the national average.

The figures are not the full number of unemployed. The Labour government counts only those on Job Seekers Allowance when publishing local unemployment numbers. The actual number of people out of work is therefore much higher.

"This is a worrying figure," said Dunston and Teams Lib Dem campaigner Michael Ruddy. "It shows Labour's promise to bring in full employment has not reached our area."

Meanwhile, in Lobley Hill and Bensham ward, the August figures show the number of jobless people on Job Seekers Allowance at 229, or 5.5% of the working population. There has been no drop in the figures for the ward.

"Whilst the level is lower than in some other areas, the actual number is still too high," said Susan Craig from the Lobley Hill and Bensham Lib Dem Focus Team.