Unemployment falls in Central Ayrshire

Nov 20 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

UNEMPLOYMENT is continuing to fall in Central Ayrshire.

The number of people out of work is down for the second month in a row.

And MP Brian Donohoe is confident that things are looking up for the job market in his constituency.

He revealed that 2593 people claimed Job Seekers Allowance last month – 12 down on the previous month.

He said: “You could say we’re ahead of the curve.”

The news means that the area is bucking the national unemployment trend, which continues to rise, although by the smallest amount in 18 months.

However, Mr Donohoe cautioned that the 40 redundances announed by British Aerospace last month will impact on the jobless numbers at some point in the very near future.

He added: “Last month we saw a dramatic fall, and another small decrease this time, so the trend looks good.

“I don’t know of anything that will alter the pattern next month either, although eventually the 40 redundancies at British Aerospace will feed into the statistics.”

But he insists that the good news will give a welcome boost to business confidence.

He went on: “On the whole though, I would say that the healthier employment market in Central Ayrshire can only feed local business confidence.

“So I think we all have reason to feel a degree of optimism today.”