MP Joins Job Centre Team in Fight Against Unemployment

Date published: 20 August 2010

Jake Berry, new Conservative Member of Parliament for Rossendale and Darwen, won’t be putting his feet up whilst in recess for Parliament but will be working in Job Centres across the area leading the fight against unemployment and benefit dependency.

Jake will be spending a few days in Darwen, Bacup and Rawtenstall Job Centres getting the feel for both the jobs market locally, looking at whether routes back to work are effective and to fight the everyday problems experienced by those living on benefits.

Jake commented, ‘while we all know that it’s fair we support those who cannot work, we are taking steps to clamp down on those who won’t work. I want to get a feel for the availability of jobs locally and to see what I can do to encourage business to create work in our area.”

Jake will be working alongside JobCentre Plus staff on the front line. Steve Johnson, District Manager of JobCentre Plus commented, “We have never heard of an MP volunteering at a Job Centre before. We are really excited that Jake is interested in the work we do.”

Jake commented, “MP’s are often accused of being out of touch. I want to see first-hand, the impact that the recession is having on hard working families in the area.” Jake will be working in the 3rd week of September. Please feel free to come and see Jake.