Since the general election in July 2024, 1,068 more households in Great Yarmouth have had to sign onto Universal Credit. That is a devastating number — and it’s a direct result of the Labour Government’s failure to protect jobs, support businesses, and grow the economy.
Since taking office, Keir Starmer has talked down the economy and burdened businesses with higher taxes and new regulations. The results are plain to see:
- Unemployment has jumped to 4.7%, the highest level in four years.
- Real wage growth has slowed to just 1.1%.
- The number of people on payroll has fallen by over 164,000 since the Autumn Budget.
For us here in Great Yarmouth, that means more families struggling to pay their bills, more people out of work, and more people relying on benefits just to get by.
Under the last Conservative Government, we saw a very different story. The number of people in work increased by over 4 million, the unemployment rate nearly halved from 8.0% in 2010 to 4.2% in June 2024, and real wages had grown for thirteen months in a row. That progress is now being undone.
After Labour attacked businesses with higher taxes and more regulation, it was sadly inevitable that we would see fewer opportunities here in Great Yarmouth and more people signing onto Universal Credit.
Only the Conservatives understand that it’s the makers — our businesses, entrepreneurs, and workers — who create jobs and drive growth, not the Government. But with more tax rises coming this Autumn to pay for Labour’s failures, it is people and businesses in our Borough who will be left paying the price.
As Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately MP has said:
“Under Labour, unemployment has risen 10 months in a row, and over 1 million more people are on benefits. Labour promised good jobs but are just putting people on more benefits, paid for by ever higher taxes. Labour have always left office with more people out of work than when they found it. It’s no wonder business leaders are warning that all indicators are flashing red.”
Labour is taking us backwards. I will continue to stand up for Great Yarmouth, fight for jobs, and push for the policies we need to get our local economy growing again.
