ILKLEY’S MP has raised concerns about a rise in the local unemployment rate.
New figures from the House of Commons Library show that 1,575* people were unemployed in Keighley and Ilkley in January.
That represents an increase of 525 over the figures for uenmployed claimants in January, 2018.
MP John Grogan (Lab, Keighley) said: “After a period of low unemployment it is concerning to see the figures rising in Keighley and Ilkley.
“Local employers are telling me the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is a significant contributor.”
Mr Grogan, meanwhile, is set to report back this week on the latest state of the Brexit debate in Parliament to a meeting in Ilkley that has been organised by Leeds for Europe.
The event takes place at Christhurch, on The Grove, from 7.30pm on Thursday, February 21 and will include a discussion about the impact of Brexit on the local and national economy.
*That figure represents 3.5 per cent of the local economically active population aged between 16 and 64.
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