The Prime Minister told the House of Commons today (15 October 2014) that there had been a “huge advance” in reducing unemployment in Gillingham and Rainham, with the latest figures showing that it is down 36%.
He was responding to a question from Rehman, who asked the Prime Minister about the funding that Medway had received under the Growth Deal.
Medway’s Growth Deal, worth nearly £30m, will improve transport links and bring investment to the local area.
Rehman asked the Prime Minister:
"Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the excellent Conservative-run Medway council on securing nearly £30 million from the Government’s national growth fund, which will further help to improve economic regeneration in the local area? “The fact that youth unemployment in the local area is down, unemployment overall is down, apprenticeships are up, business creation is up and jobs are up clearly shows that our long-term economic plan is working both locally in Medway and nationally across the country."
The Prime Minister responded:
"My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The claimant count in his constituency is down by 36%, which is a huge advance over recent years. He is right about the importance of the local growth deal. This is going to mean more transport links in and around Medway and investment in the growth hub. A total of £442 million of growth funding has gone into this deal. Like him, I have got a feeling I will be spending some time in the Medway towns in the months and years—in the weeks—to come."