Latest / Early Edition with Ryan Bridge
Willow-Jean Prime: Labour's Employment Spokesperson on the latest Jobseeker benefit stats
Labour's employment spokesperson believes rising benefit numbers comes down to a weak economy.
Latest MSD data shows almost 414 thousand people were receiving the main benefit at the end of June – up 1.9% year-on-year.
12.8% of the working-age population is drawing on the main benefit – up from 12.6% a year ago.
Willow-Jean Prime told Ryan Bridge the stats reflect a failed government promise to improve the cost of living.
She says cuts and delayed infrastructure projects have led to a loss of 20 thousand jobs in the construction sector alone.
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