Gloomy prospects as unemployment rises

A business chief has warned that rising levels of unemployment across Lancashire are likely to continue. Policy director Hugh Evans, of the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said the growing number of people claiming benefit in the county should send "serious warnings" of a gloomy economic outlook. This comes as the latest statistics show the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Preston rose 3.1% to 2,145 people with South Ribble seeing a 6.6% hike to 858 claimants and Chorley rising to 1,087. Mr Evans said: "Our own economic survey suggest that unemployment is very likely set to increase further over the three months which suggest that growth expectations are being lowered in light of the current economic climate. "This is particularly true in the manufacturing sector where employment growth has... [read full story]