Hull MP protests at changes to 'inconvenient' jobs figures

Diana Johnson MP has protested at Coalition changes to monthly jobs figures that will mean that information on the numbers seeking each job will no longer be available.

The Hull North Labour MP has learnt from the House of Commons Library that the Department of Work and Pension's (DWP) outsourcing of its 'Universal Jobmatch' service will mean that monthly statistics showing the number of job-seekers chasing each job vacancy in each UK Parliamentary constituency will no longer be available. This will start from the December 2012 jobs figures that are to be published on Wednesday 23 January.

Recently these monthly official jobs statistics, that MPs obtain each month from the House of Commons Library, have shown that Hull North has the highest number of people chasing each job vacancy in the entire UK.

Speaking in Business Questions today, Diana Johnson MP asked the Leader of the House of Commons Andrew Lansley: "From the official figures, which are going to be announced next Wednesday, it will no longer be possible for Members to obtain constituency statistics on the number of job-seekers after each job in their constituencies. That is a real issue in my constituency, which has been top for many months?50 jobseekers after every vacancy.

"There is no legitimate reason for that statistic not to be provided, so may we have a debate on why the Government are choosing to suppress the inconvenient figures that give a real indication and insight into what is happening with local employment around the country?"

The exchange took place in the Commons Chamber at 11.44am today.