The constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland is in the north east of England and covers a 35 mile wide geographical area. It stretches from the south western suburbs of Middlesbrough (the main town in the Teesside conurbation) eastwards towards the coast. Guisborough - a busy market town (known as the "ancient capital of Cleveland"), Saltburn - a Victorian seaside resort and small former mining villages make up the rest of this diverse and interesting Parliamentary seat.

Economy

• Debt has been cut by a third and debt interest rates reduced by £7 billion.
• The lowest interest rates for nearly half a century.
• Inflation is at it's lowest level for thirty years - averaging at 2.5%.
• Across the UK 5.8 million families have been helped by the new tax credits. In our area 7,600 families have already benefited from tax credits in just 5 months.

Employment

• The highest employment in British history and unemployment at its lowest since 1975. Since 1997 this constituency's overall unemployment rate has been halved - From 9.3% in 1997 to just 4.6% in June 2003.
• Since 1997 there are 1,237 less people on benefit in this constituency.
• Since 1997, the New Deal has reduced long-term youth unemployment in this area by 73% - In 1997 there were 405 young people out of work for more than 6 months, in January of this year there were only 109.
• A new statutory pension protection fund is to be set up - This will guarantee the protection of all workers pensions.

Education

• Since 1997 there has been an increase of £1000 on spending per pupil.
• Since 1997 there are over 20,000 more teachers supported by over 80,000 more support staff in England's schools.
• In Redcar and Cleveland Local Education Authority there are 130 more teachers than in 1998 - The total number of teachers now stands at 1,410.
• In Middlesbrough Local Education Authority the total number of teachers stands at 1,527.

Health

• Since 1997 there are 826 more nurses caring for patients in County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority. The total now stands at 8,350.
• The massive £122 million development at James Cook University Hospital is complete. The hospital has doubled in size and all of Middlesbrough’s hospital services are based on one site.

Police

• Since 1997 overall crime is down 28% - burglary is down 39% - vehicle theft is down 31% - and your chance of being a victim of crime is at its lowest in 20 years.
• Since 1997 police numbers are at record levels, with over 131,500 police officers across the country. That means more than 4,000 extra police officers in the last year alone.
• Since spring 2001 there are 223 more Cleveland police officers fighting crime. That means a total of 1,630 police officers tackling crime and anti-social behaviour locally.
• Since May 2002, Middlesbrough Borough Council now has 70 street wardens. Since May 2002, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council now has 42 street wardens.