Emma Reynolds, Labour MP for Wolverhampton North East, has voiced her concerns at yet more bad news on unemployment in the city. Emma said: “I am very concerned that unemployment has again risen in Wolverhampton North East. The rate of unemployment here is almost twice the UK average.

“I am particularly concerned that youth unemployment remains so high. There has been an alarming fall in the number of apprenticeships on offer because of the flawed introduction of the government’s apprenticeship levy. But when I raised this important issue with the Prime Minister she was vague and complacent. Her response demonstrated that this government has no plan to boost employment in the Black Country.

“The Tories have cut funding for further education by 35% since 2010 and school budgets have also been squeezed. These cuts will leaving many young people and adults without affordable access to further education colleges. They will be denied the opportunity to improve their education and get the skills they need to thrive in the workplace.

“We need a Labour government to invest in education, apprenticeships and skills, including retraining so that we can tackle this problem.”

Do you have any concerns about unemployment? I want to hear from you. You can email me at: [email protected]

March 2018