Unemployment figures show banking crisis has hit real economy in South East

1.15.19pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Oct 2008

The banking crisis is affecting people right across the South East

Commenting on today's Government figures that show unemployment has risen by 28,000 between June and August to 200,000 Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Work and Pensions, Jenny Willott MP, said:

"These figures come as no surprise and are only likely to get worse over the coming months. The effects of the banking crisis have filtered down to the real economy and are affecting people right across the South East.

"Now that the banking rescue package has been agreed, the Government must turn its attention to unemployment and inflation. Real families across Britain are suffering, not just those working in the Square Mile.

"As the number of vacancies shrink, it will be harder and harder to get people back into work. It will not simply be a case of retraining the unemployed if there are no jobs for them to return to."