Employment training is on offer in North Kent

Bexley received an unemployment boost as figures in the borough went down.

A separate report has also named the Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency as one of the most fuel-poor in London.

The latest national statistics say 3.1 per cent of people in Bexley are jobless in the government figures released for May. This means 4,550 people are out of work, 295 less than in the last report published in February.

Dissatisfied

Lynne Chamberlain, of Greenwich and Bexley Trade Council, was not so optimistic about the figures.

She said:“If people were so happy about the job market why are so many different groups striking? We’ve got doctors and bus workers on the picket line this week and teachers are still dissatisfied.

“There needs to be an end to the income equality between managers and staff because we’re clearly not in it together.”

The unemployment figures are despite a number of big retailers in the area shutting down.

Peacocks, which had stores in Erith, Bexleyheath and Thamesmead, went into administration in February. This resulted in 38 staff being cut.

Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett said: “Any fall in unemployment is welcome, particularly among young people. But we must not forget there are still problems with the economy.” Mr Evennett’s constituency was named as one of the 10 most fuel poor constituencies in the capital in a survey organised by Transform UK, who are supporting the Energy Bill Revolution Campaign for warm homes and lower bills.

Concerned

It showed that 12.5 per cent of the 32,567 homes in the constituency (4,063 in total) struggle to keep their properties heated.

David Evennett MP said: “I’m concerned to read about the figures published and the impact fuel poverty is having on my constituents. I have taken a keen interest in this topic and the Government has taken action to help address the issue.”

A household is considered fuel poor if it needs to spend more than 10 per cent of their income to heat their home.