Government success on unemployment continues

UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen for the 26th month in a row with the number of people jobless in Britain now at its lowest level for six years.

Job Centre Plus in Bromley GETTY

There are fewer unemployed people for the 26th month in a row

This Government’s shrewd management of the economy has yielded strong growth creating many job opportunities.

A combination of cutting taxes and slashing welfare has created powerful incentives for people who are unemployed to take up those jobs.

For much of this parliament wage growth has been the most significant economic issue facing the Government.

Inflation was consistently outstripping wage increases despite the rise in employment and the growth in the economy.

As a result people did not feel any better off and despite the success of the national economy the Tories’ support did not increase.

Ed Miliband did his best to cause problems too, loudly and frequently declaring there to be a “cost-of-living crisis”.

But wage growth is now far outstripping inflation and Miliband’s supposed crisis is receding.

Four months before the general election these figures on wage growth and inflation will be greeted with joy by the Conservatives.

David Cameron and George Osborne can only hope that their success on the economy will finally translate into popular support by the time the country goes to the polls. 

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Chilcot delay is an insult

The report from the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War will not be released until after the general election despite last hearing public evidence in 2011.

One reason for the interminable delay is the amount of time it has taken for people accused of misconduct to respond to the charges made against them.

This is not only a waste of time, money and effort but raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of the findings.

This is no small charge given that the inquiry is looking into a “sexed-up” dossier.

There were 179 British service personnel killed over the course of the war.

Their families and those who were injured have been waiting far too long for this inquiry’s report.

These delays are unacceptable. 

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Some impressive sea legs

It’s a sailor’s life for Lee Wachtstetter although there’s no deck swabbing for her.

The 86?year?old widow has lived for the past seven years aboard luxury cruise ship Crystal Serenity.

With a crew of 655 to keep the place shipshape and the chance for a twirl on the dance floor after dinner every night Mrs Wachtstetter says that she has a “fairytale life” and would struggle to live back on land.

It is easy to see why such a sea change would be a struggle. 

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