Figures published by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday (13/10) reveal that the number of people who are unemployed in the Selly Oak constituency is now at 5670, a 61% increase since March before lockdown began.
Unemployment in the constituency is now at 7.7% compared to 6.5% nationally. Whilst unemployment across Birmingham now stands at 11.2%.
Local MP Steve McCabe said: “We are in the midst of a growing jobs crisis and instead of supporting businesses, the Government introduce huge changes affecting the hospitality industry with less than 48 hours notice. In Birmingham contact tracing data shows that hospitality accounts for just 2% of contacts, this one size fits all approach is absurd.
“We are heading for a winter of discontent with unemployment soaring, no real support for businesses and workers affected by restrictions and no coherent plan to control the virus. My constituents deserve better than this.”
The Labour Party estimates that 13,300 people in the Selly Oak constituency were still furloughed in mid-August, this includes more than 1100 people working in restaurants, pubs and clubs.
