Stuart Anderson has said he is 'devastated' by the rise in unemployment in South Shropshire.
The Conservative MP was reacting to the latest figures showing 1,255 people claiming unemployment-related benefits in March 2026—an increase of 35 on the previous month.
Youth unemployment remains a particular concern, with 245 of the claimants aged between 18 and 24.
Mr Anderson said: "I am devastated that unemployment has risen again in South Shropshire, with young people disproportionately affected by the slowdown in recruitment.
"Major tax hikes in the hospitality sector, which is the biggest employer of young people, provide crucial first-job opportunities in South Shropshire."
He said recent months have seen the closure of a significant number of businesses in South Shropshire’s retail, leisure, and tourism sectors.
Nationally, the Office for National Statistics has reported that vacancies have dropped to their lowest level in five years, while youth unemployment stands at 14.3 per cent.
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Mr Anderson believes the Government’s plans for a 'major youth employment drive' will be ineffective unless businesses receive more support.
He said: "The government’s youth employment drive will do little to shift the dial while businesses are still clobbered with tax hikes."
He also raised concerns about access to support in rural communities, pointing out that only 13 Jobcentre Plus offices are located in rural areas across England.
He has called for the rollout of mobile employment vans in South Shropshire to address the gap, but confirmed the area is not currently included in the existing plans.
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