Jonathan Ashworth responds to the latest ONS labour market statistics

Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, responding to the latest ONS labour market statistics, said: 

“Today we see further evidence of the damage the Tories have caused to the economy and to family finances.

“Real wages have fallen again,  thousands of over 50s have left the labour market and a record number of people are out of work because they’re stuck on NHS waiting lists or they’re not getting proper employment support.  

“Meanwhile, families face eye-watering mortgages due to the destruction of the Tories’ kamikaze Budget, which the Government must now reverse.

“Labour will bring stability to the economy and a real plan for growth, including reforming jobs support to help deliver the highest employment rate in the G7.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

1.   Numbers of those economically inactive because they are long-term sick increased to a record high.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/october2022