7 jobseekers for every vacancy in Havant

6.39.23pm GMT Tue 10th Feb 2009

There were seven Jobseekers for every vacancy in Havant in December 2008, figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats have revealed today.

The figures, which were revealed following a Parliamentary question asked by Lib Dem Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Steve Webb, show that the average across the country is five jobseekers for every vacancy.

Havant had 1,591 registered jobseekers, but only 231 advertised jobs.

Liz Leffman, Prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley said "These figures confirm that for people in Havant, the economic climate is really starting to bite.

"Gordon Brown can tell us all he likes that there are half a million job vacancies in this country - but if they aren't in the areas where they are needed, they aren't much help. People looking for jobs in Havant are going to struggle to find the jobs they urgently need."

According to the figures, in Winchester and East Hampshire there are two jobseekers for every vacancy. Liz Leffman recently visited the Bishops Waltham Citizens Advice Bureau,, where she learned that a number of small businesses locally are shedding jobs.

"People all over Meon Valley are beginning to feel the impact of the current downturn" she said