Government Should Not Abandon The Unemployed - Teather

2.38.38pm GMT Tue 4th Mar 2008

Sarah thinks the Government should be helping her constituents back into work

Brent's local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has demanded that the Government think again on their proposal to close the Kilburn Job Centre.

There are 584 people in Kilburn currently unemployed, representing 6% of the population and almost 1 in 10 adult men. Despite this, the Government are proposing to close Kilburn's only Jobcentre office, asking Kilburn residents to use the Harlesden and Willesden offices instead.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"In the last few months the Labour Government have announced closures of Brent's Post Offices, Police Stations and even GP's surgeries. Local residents will be alarmed to hear of yet more cuts to their local services.

"Kilburn has one of the highest unemployment rates in Brent. It just doesn't make sense to ask people to travel to offices in Willesden Green and Harlesden, which both deal with chronic unemployment problems of their own.

"Lots of people who are unemployed desperately want to return to work, but need help and encouragement to take those first steps. The Labour Government are pulling the rug from beneath some of the most needy people in Brent.

"I will be seeking to meet with the Jobcentre to raise local people's concerns. The Government should me making it easier for people to return to work, not harder."

Related Link:

Kilburn unemployment figures.