NEW figures show that unemployment has risen for the 8th straight month, up 48,000 to 2.67 million, the highest rate since 1995.

Youth unemployment is up 22,000 and women continue to be among the hardest hit.

Yet before the last election David Cameron claimed to be a ‘compassionate Conservative!’ Well I don't see any compassion from this Tory government as his economic policies continue to rip through the hearts of communities, particularly here in the North.

And still they continue to blame everyone and everything but themselves.

They blame Labour for ‘reckless’ spending, yet the truth is for 10 years of that government, which had to reinvest hugely in public services due to 18 years of neglect from Thatcher and Major, the Tories claimed they would spend more if in power!

Only when the world recession hit, due to reckless bankers, did they change their tune – ultimate political opportunism.

They blamed the Euro crisis and the royal wedding and even tried to blame the snow on the lack of growth in the economy.

The fact is, when Labour left office the economy was growing and unemploy-ment was falling.

The truth is, there is no such thing as a compass-ionate Conservative.

Jamie Groves, Bonsall Street, Blackburn.