The Folkestone and Hythe constituency saw a big fall in unemployment last month, according to the latest figures published last week. The overall unemployment rate is now nearly 25% lower than it was in May 2010. Last month this area saw the biggest fall in unemployment in Kent, and over the last year the rate has been falling faster than both the national average and that for the South East of England. There is no doubt that these positive trends reflect an improving picture for the economy as a whole. The United Kingdom is predicted to have the highest levels of economic growth in 2014 compared with the world’s leading economies and we now seem fixed on a path of long term and stable growth.
Many local businesses are also much more optimistic and are investing in the future; taking on new employees, expanding to larger premises and investing in new equipment. Good infrastructure, from the road network and high speed rail is undoubtedly helping our recovery. Local investment from the East Kent Regional Growth Fund is also helping firms to expand, and Folkestone continues to benefit from Roger De Haan’s long term investment in the town. One of the most positive parts of the recovery has been the rise in the number of apprentices being taken on by local businesses. These places are supported by the government and local councils, and this kind of work based training is an excellent way for young people to start their careers. Currently over 1,000 apprentices start work in the Shepway area every year, more than three times the number five years ago.
I hope you had the chance to enjoy some of the many events that were taking place across the district during the Easter weekend. The highlight for our children was undoubtedly the egg rolling down the slope on Duck Street in Elham. On Good Friday, Sarah and I attended the Folkestone Choral Society’s concert at the Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. The Choral society was supported by the Amberley Orchestra, and the music was once again superbly led by the conductor Berkeley Hill. The concert was held to mark the upcoming centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the music performed addressed the sacrifice and loss of war; these included ‘The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace’ by Karl Jenkins, ‘Dies Natalis’ by Gerald Finzi and ‘Requiem’ by Gabriel Fauré. The setting was also extremely appropriate, as the Leas would have been familiar to so many service personnel from the First World War, and will be a central location for the town's commemorations for the centenary of the outbreak of the war; including the official opening of the Memorial Arch on 4th August. My congratulations go once again to the Choral Society for an excellent evening.
It was good to see so many people out and enjoying the good weather at the Aldington Point to Point meeting on Easter Monday. This year we were blessed with a dry sunny day, and not much wind, which was good news for the spectators and the competitors. The organisers, the East Kent and West Street hunt, estimated that approximately 5,000 spectators came to enjoy the afternoon’s racing.