AN MP has challenged the Government's unemployment figures claiming her constituents are worse off than much of the country.

According to the latest statistics, the UK rate of unemployment has fallen to its lowest level since 1975.

But Helen Goodman says people in her Bishop Auckland constituency are not feeling the benefits of the national trend.

In a statement announcing the national figures, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey said: “The UK’s vibrant jobs market is benefitting people across the board.”

Ms Goodman argues: “The government keeps crowing about a stronger economy, but this does not reflect the reality for many people in my constituency, and others like it in the North East. This month, the rate of people claiming Universal Credit and Jobseekers Allowance in my constituency was almost double the national rate, and has increased by 21 per cent since last year. This doesn’t sound like opportunities across the board to me.”

The claimant rate in Bishop Auckland is 4.7 per cent, compared to 2.8 per cent nationally.

She called for government support for businesses and quality employment opportunities, such as a potential geothermal energy industry in Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor.