Bristol faces ‘alarming’ rise in unemployment rate in south of the city

A Bristol MP has spoken out in response to an ‘alarming’ rise in unemployment rates in her constituency.   

New data by the Office for National Statistics shows that unemployment in Bristol South has risen by more than a quarter (29%) from pre-pandemic levels.  

The figures published this week show that there were 2,875 claimants of unemployment related benefits in Bristol South last month, an increase of 650 when compared with levels in March 2020.           

Labour MP Karin Smyth has said people in her constituency are ‘paying the price’ for the Conservatives’ ‘dismal’ handling of the economy.  

The rate of unemployment among young adults in Bristol South remains higher than the national average, with 550 young adults out of work last month.  

Analysis by the House of Commons library has shown that, as of October 2023, 5.9 per cent of adults aged 18 to 24 were unemployed in Bristol South, compared with 4.9 per cent nationally.    

There are now 340 more adults without work in south Bristol than there were a year ago, shortly after Liz Truss announced her mini budget in 2022.    

Commenting on the latest statistics, Karin Smyth said: “We have seen an alarming rise in unemployment, which still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.  

“People in Bristol South are paying the price for the Tories’ dismal management of the economy, with our young people being badly affected.

“I have made it my mission to improve post-16 options for young people in Bristol South, with a focus on apprenticeships, to help people from all backgrounds access the opportunities they deserve.”   

In September, Merchants Academy in Withywood, south Bristol cancelled its A-level courses due to a lack of numbers just days before the new term started.