Survey of York residents shows majority pessimistic about future of economy

8.40.14pm GMT Tue 27th Jan 2009

A survey of York residents has shown that people who are pessimistic about the future of the UK economy outnumber those who are optimistic by four to one.

The survey, carried out by Madeleine Kirk, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for York Outer, asked key questions about economic optimism and local jobs. Hundreds of responses have been analysed so far.

On three specific questions, the survey found that:

When asked 'How optimistic are you about the economic future of the country?' 57% described themselves as very or quite pessimistic. Only 13% described themselves as very or quite optimistic.

When asked 'how optimistic are you about the future of jobs in York?' 45% of respondents described themselves as very or quite pessimistic. 18% of people described themselves as very or quite optimistic.

When asked 'how optimistic are you about the security of jobs in York?' 54% of people described themselves as very or quite pessimistic. Just 9% of people described themselves as very or quite optimistic about local job security.

Madeleine Kirk said "These results show that a majority of people are now feeling pessimistic about the economic future, both in terms of the national economy and local jobs.

"I am pleased that locally the council is offering help to local businesses and providing extra advice. However, nationally the government is simply not doing enough. The Chancellor has just handed billions to the big banks but loans and other support is just not getting through to businesses. This is threatening jobs and if unemployment continues to rise at the current rate the economic future just gets bleaker.

"The government must now stop bailing out the banks without getting concrete assurances that taxpayers' money will be passed on to businesses in the form of affordable loans and other support to keep companies afloat in the coming year."