Birmingham Job Centres Need Investment

The Government has been accused of failing to invest in Birmingham's Job Centres despite unemployment heading for a 15-year high.

From the Birmingham Post:

"Nearly 50 job centres across the West Midlands need expanding as they struggle to cope with soaring unemployment and a rapid increase in the number of people seeking work, managers have admitted. But the comments came in the wake of a series of job centre closures. In the West Midlands, 53 job centres have closed their doors since 2002."

In recent times unemployment in Ladywood constituency has consistently been the highest in the entire UK. According to the latest June 2009 figures published by the BBC, Ladywood still leads the way with 11.1%. Take a closer look though, and you'll see the next three constituencies with the highest unemployment are ALL in Birmingham.

Over the past few years, this supposed Labour government slashed job centres in Aston, Sparkbrook, Northfield, Selly Oak, Small Heath, Erdington and Handsworth - right across the city - and most in the areas that now have the highest unemployment. The two job centres in Ladywood ward operating at full capacity are on Broad Street and Summer Row.

If we are to effectively get people into relevant training or back to employment, we cannot skimp on the facilities - especially not in the city with the worst unemployment problem.