MP WELCOMES HAZEL GROVE UNEMPLOYMENT DROP

Andrew Stunell MP has welcomed Hazel Grove's unemployment drop announced recently by the Office of National Statistics.

Official figures show that just 3.5% of the Hazel Grove constituency population is out of work, compared to a national rate of 7.9%. However Andrew Stunell MP says with 1,336 jobless in Hazel Grove constituency, more needs to be done to bring businesses to the town.

"Hazel Grove constituency's unemployment rate is less than half the national figure, evidence that we are riding out these difficult times well. There are more people in work than ever before, and businesses are keen to be here and are ready to expand. But I want to see more, which is why I have been badgering the banks and Ministers in London to help local companies grow faster."

Mr Stunell met the British Bankers Association last month to press the cases of local firms denied the finance they needed to grow.

"When we need to see more jobs created, and more money earned overseas from exports it is infuriating that local firms are being blocked by the banks from doing just that."

The number of Hazel Grove claimants is 56 lower than in April 2012 and 30 lower than in March 2013.

On one of Andrew's recent visits supporting local businesses, Andrew opened a new up and coming business in Marple called The Zip Yard (see photo).