Shadow Chancellor: 200,000 jobs have already been lost under Labour

Labour’s economic policies are causing widespread job loss and driving up unemployment in the UK, argues Andrew Griffith. In a recent economic report, the Labour government has lost 200,000 jobs since they took office, with unemployment currently sitting at 4.9%. The number of people employed by companies has fallen by 26,000 in August alone, pushing the total job losses to over 200,000.

Moreover, more than 9 million people of working age are now economically inactive, accounting for more than one in five. Young people are particularly affected, with the first rung on the career ladder being removed under a Labour government with little experience of the workforce. The problem lies in Labour's refusal to listen to employers, as evidenced by their "smoked salmon offensive" of opposition years.

Their policies, such as the jobs tax and the Employment Rights Act, have led to a heavy burden on the poorest parts of the country and have caused significant job losses. Britain ranks 15th out of 19 G20 nations in terms of growth, with the highest tax burden on record and foreign direct investment at a record low. Public sector wages are rising at a much faster rate than those in the private sector, with Labour prioritizing the interests of union paymasters over the wider economy.

Labour's lack of a coherent plan for government and their failure to address issues such as energy costs and welfare reform have led to a bleak economic outlook. As shadow Chancellor, Andrew Griffith would implement policies that prioritize economic growth, job creation, and affordability, stating that every Labour government leaves with higher unemployment rates than when they came in.