RATIO OF JOBSEEKERS TO VACANCIES IN PENDLE

That this House notes that the hon. Member for Hertsmere, speaking for the Official Opposition in the Unemployment debate on 10 March 2009, stated that he visits jobcentres where there are many times more jobseekers than vacancies, claiming that there are 12 jobseekers for every vacancy in Pendle; further notes that the hon. Member visited the Colne office on 17 February 2009 but that the 12:1 ratio was not discussed at any point with officials; records that in January 2009 there were 1,746 people on the jobseeker's allowance register and 376 jobs notified giving an overall ratio of jobseekers to jobs in Pendle of 5:1, with the Colne ratio coming in at 3:1 and Nelson at 7:1; recognises these ratios can fluctuate on a daily basis and that unemployment in Pendle as elsewhere is rising but is well below the all time high of 4,914 recorded in July 1986; and resolves to do everything it can to ensure the recession is as short and shallow as possible, to keep people in work and to encourage the growth of new employment opportunities.