Last week, the latest labour market statistics were published by the Office of National Statistics.
The figures show national unemployment rising for the 14th consecutive month sitting at 5.1 per cent, the highest since the pandemic and up from 4.2 percent at the general election. With the number of payrolled employees decreasing by 33,000 nationally between October 2025 and November 2025.
In North West Essex, 4.8 per cent of those aged 16 – 64 where unemployed between October 2024 and September 2025, up from 4.1 per cent between July 2024 and June 2025. The figures released this week showed 4.1 per cent of people aged 16 and over are unemployed across the South East of England between September 2025 and November 2025, which sees a 0.2 per cent increase from June and August 2025.
Commenting, Kemi Badenoch MP for North West Essex and Leader of the Conservative Party said:
“Unemployment has risen every single month since Labour came into office.
“Labour’s Jobs Tax is hammering business, and their ‘Un-Employment’ Act will cost businesses billions, impacting hundreds of businesses across North West Essex.
“Conservatives back business. Which is why we announced that we will abolish business rates for thousands of retail and hospitality businesses. Supporting our local pubs, hairdressers, cafes and small business owners that keep our economy going.”
ENDS
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