Battle to beat the recession (From Echo)

Battle to beat the recession

7:40am Thursday 28th May 2009 in

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THOUSANDS of people in south Essex are jobless as one of the toughest recessions in modern times has ravaged businesses.

The latest information from the Office of National Statistics makes for bleak reading.

A total of 16,984 people in Basildon, Southend, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock were claiming jobseekers’ allowance in April this year, nearly 4,000 more than the 13,005 people claiming in December.

More and more firms have been collapsing since Woolworths stores started closing their doors in December.

A total of 170 jobs in Basildon went when Visteon UK announced its collapse this year, prompting a staunch protest from workers.

Case New Holland also announced 150 engineering and development jobs are to go from its Basildon plant.

Keith Brown, regional organiser of the Essex Federation of Small Businesses, said some industries were being particularly badly hit in the county.

His group is even holding a seminar at Essex University, in Elmer Approach, Southend, on Friday, as it tries to help ailing businesses in the recession.

Mr Brown said: “Construction and property are being hit hard, as well as the motor industry.

“Of course, there is also the knock-on effect of the people who supply those businesses, including sandwich sellers, stationers and deliveries.”

But Mr Brown said while he did not know how long the recession would last, he believed businesses could bounce back.

He said banks needed to make more cash available and schemes like the county council’s Banking on Essex, where the council give small loans to firms, would help.

FOR FULL REPORT, SEE THURSDAY'S ECHO