The credit crunch has seen Noth Somerset unemployment rise by almost half and house repossession by nearly a quarter in just one year.

Last year more than 500 people lost their jobs across the district, bringing the number of residents claiming job-seekers allowance to 1,652. This represents a 45% rise compared with October the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. The figures mean that the jobless rate is its highest in the district for nearly a decade.

Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Brian Mathew said: "We  are extremely worried about the situation in North Somerset especially regarding HBOS employees in Clevedon. We hope and pray their jobs will be secure in the New Year."  "In the past year alone, 500 more families have faced up to unemployment with all the misery and uncertainty that brings. Thousands more are at risk and face an uncertain future."

These alarming statistics are brought sharply into focus by the latest figures for morgage re-possession claims. According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of claims at North Somerset Court House has increased by 23 per cent compared to this time last year. However not all claims are enforced.

(reproduced from an article published in the North Somerset Times 3rd December 2008)