Prime Minister Welcomes York’s Growth in Jobs and Investment
July 17, 2014
Yesterday in Parliament, Julian raised York’s falling unemployment rates and leading agriculture sector with the Prime Minister.
Speaking in the House of Commons during Prime Ministers Questions, Julian asked “Unemployment has more than halved in my constituency since 2010, and York is poised to benefit from a multi-million pound investment through three agri-science projects as it strives to become a world-class centre of excellence in agriculture. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this clearly demonstrates our commitment to tackling the North-South divide and delivering a Northern-led long-term economic plan?”
In response, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, replied by saying “I am delighted to share with my hon. Friend the fact that the claimant count in his constituency is down by 42% over the past year, and by 61% since the election. I know that Labour does not want to hear about falling unemployment numbers and the numbers of people in work, but the fact is that every single one of these people getting a job is someone having a livelihood and the chance to provide for their family. That is what this is about. He is absolutely right to raise the importance of the agricultural and linked industries in Yorkshire. I am sure that the new Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary will want to make an early visit to her birth place of Yorkshire.”
Julian welcomed the Prime Minister’s positive response. He said “The strong job figures in York is another clear sign that our long-term economic plan is working not just in London but across the North. Crucially, the number of young people out of work in my constituency is less than a third of what is was when I was first elected. Across the country unemployment has fallen at its fastest rate for almost twenty years, and nearly three quarters of all new jobs have been full-time work.”
“I have followed up the Prime Minister’s excellent suggestion with an invitation to Liz’s office. It would be a fantastic opportunity to show the new Environment Secretary how York is leading the way in cutting edge of agricultural technology. York’s Local Enterprise Partnerships have done a fantastic job securing much needed funds which are set to create hundreds of highly skilled jobs and revolutionise our farming research facilities.”
