Des Browne MP called for continued investment to help people back into work.  The most recent unemployment figure of 4,229 is 44% lower than in 1992, the height of the last Tory recession.

Des Browne MP said:  "Despite the global recession we are experiencing unemployment figures in East Ayrshire lower than they were during the last recession when the Tories were in power.  It was a generation of young people that suffered most from the Tories refusal to take action to support our community in the early 90s."

"The most recent labour market statistics show 4,229 people living in East Ayrshire are unemployed compared to 7,574 at the height of the Tory recession in 1992.

"I wholeheartedly support this Labour Government's guarantees to young people living in Kilmarnock and Loudoun today - an education or training place for everyone up to 18 years old and a job or training place for all 18-24 year olds out of work for more than six months.  We have managed to fund this by the one off tax on bankers' bonuses.

"However, we need even more investment here now to get people back into work.  Our economy is still fragile and we need immediate action to support our local community today and for years to come.

"For there to be hope in the future of community we need jobs here.  Over a year ago, the SNP Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism; Jim Mather MSP promised that we would get a pan Ayrshire jobs summit. This has never happened.  He promised it after the Vesuvius closure; even before the devastating news about Johnnie Walker. 

"The SNP shut down Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire; the organisation that was responsible for supporting and advising businesses here.  Two years later there are few businesses left.  Apart from coming down here to shout and bawl in front of the cameras, the SNP have neglected this area."

MORE INFO:
www.nomisweb.co.uk/Default.asp

www.labour.org.uk/jobs-interactive-map