Employment Up In Scotland

More young people are in work now than at any time in the last 10 years.

Youth employment is up by 20,000 in the last three months, reaching 363,000. Unemployment is down overall in Scotland, despite an increase across the rest of the UK. 155,000 Scots are out of work, a rate of 5.6%.

Jobseekers allowance claimants have fallen by over 2000 people, including a 17% drop in Fife.

The Scotland Office Minister Andrew Dunlop said:

"Today's figures show unemployment falling and wages continuing to rise well above inflation. This shows we are working to ensure everyone benefits from a growing economy as we build a country based on security and opportunity.

"We will continue to help businesses create jobs and support those who want to work hard and get on. The introduction of our National Living Wage will ensure work pays for everyone across the country."

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: "These positive figures are very welcome and come after confirmation that the Scottish economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first quarter of the year.

"The fall in unemployment of 13,000, compared to an increase across the UK, is the latest indication that the strong action taken by the SNP Scottish government to get people into work and grow our economy is working. It is also very encouraging that youth employment continues to increase – reaching a level last seen ten years ago. Getting young people into work, education or training has been a key focus of the SNP government and this will continue as they work towards the ambitious goal of cutting youth unemployment by 40 per cent by 2021."