1 in 5 adults in Newcastle East are on out of work benefits

4.32.00pm GMT Mon 9th Nov 2009

Figures released at the weekend show that 19.4% of working age adults in Newcastle East are now reliant on unemployment or associated benefits. 10.1% of adults is on incapacity benefit, 6.2% on jobseekers allowance, and 3.1% on lone parents allowance.

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Greg Stone said "These figures are disturbingly high and are illustrative of the long term complacency of Labour on worklessness and benefit dependency. The status quo cannot continue. A new approach is urgently needed on welfare which puts new emphasis on personal responsibility whilst continuing to protect those who are genuinely unable to work.

"I accept that unemployment caused by the current economic recession is not helpful, but I want government and associated agencies to do more to raise aspiration and overcome long-term benefit dependency."