Unemployment doubles in Bromley; Crystal Palace and Penge worst hit wards

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 16th Oct 2009

Official unemployment figures show that more than twice as many residents are out of work than a year ago: the rate has jumped from 1.6% to 3.4%, meaning that thousands more local people are unemployed. However, the figures are far higher in Crystal Palace and Penge, which continue to be among the poorest in the borough.

Cllr Tom Papworth, the Liberal Democrat local economy spokesman, said "Labour has failed the working people of Bromley. Thousands more are out of work because of Gordon Brown's ten years in the Treasury and two years as Prime Minister."

The national unemployment figures have reached 2.5 million and may reach 3 million by the time of the next election. This equals the worst levels of unemployment under Labour in the 1970s and the Tories in the 1980s.

At the Recreation and Renewal Committee meeting on 13th October, Cllr Papworth voted to support an initiative to help Anerley and Penge residents looking for work. But he condemned proposals by the Council to waste thousands on gala dinners and bagel breakfasts for Bromley businesses. "Bromley's businesses are struggling through this recession, yet they are desperately needed if local residents are to find work. The best thing for local businesses would be reduced business rates, more money in local customers' pockets and help with training and recruitment. Instead, the Tory council is wasting money on pointless projects."