Unemployment in Harlow

Text of letter sent to the local press;

Dear Sir

Earthquake

Two years on from the financial earthquake the aftershocks continue to hit. Here is Harlow, as elsewhere, we are bracing ourselves for the spending round cuts. The worst is expected to hit in the first few months of next year but many already reel.

In our own town, announced redundancies and redundancies are part of the landscape. The heart is being torn out of many lives and families. A young woman in London said that unemployment "feels like being dumped fifty times a day." The mountains of debt makes this recession much harder to face.

The number claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Harlow from July 2006-2010 rose as follows:

• 45% for those 18-24
• 62% for those 25-49
• 76% for those 50 and over

It is possible to survive an earthquake. If buildings are structurally strong they will weather the storm. How can we weather the storm? There is much we can do.

• We mustn't be afraid to face the truth. It is easy to deny how serious things are. But facing the truth is the first step in finding solutions.
• The voluntary sector has much to offer, but inevitable funding cuts are already undermining good work. We need to be working together, co-ordinating resources as much as possible.
• Local communities can set up support groups. They can signpost to those who might be able to offer advice and help.
• There needs to be close co-operation between the voluntary sector and the Council. Pooling resources, addressing the problems together, can make a huge difference.
• On Shrove Tuesday next year (8^th March), the new Bishop of Chelmsford is planning a Prayer Vigil for the unemployed in Chelmsford. We are planning our own vigil in Harlow. I invite all to join us for that event.

In the meantime, I would be glad to help gather together all who might be able to help, so that we can work together to fight this evil. Please contact me on:

martin.harris@messages.co.uk.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Harris (Revd)

Chair, Heart4Harlow

'Churches Working Together for Harlow'