Scottish Jobless Rate Falls

Unemployment is down in Scotland by 15, 000, according to The Office of National Statistics.

Data shows 152, 000 people were out of work between March to May 2015. It means the number of Scots in work stands at 2.6 million. UK-wide, the jobless total is up for the first time in two years by 15, 000.

The Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said: “Today’s employment figures confirm the decisions we are taking is creating a better, more prosperous future for the whole of the country. The latest figures on economic activity, also released today, show Scotland’s economy is growing in line with the UK. With businesses creating jobs, living standards rising strongly and the UK’s economy growing faster than any other major advanced country, this shows our long-term economic plan is working.

“Last week’s Budget rewards work, backs aspiration, ensures fairness to taxpayers and gives businesses confidence to invest, to grow and to hire in the months and years ahead. The National Living Wage is an essential part of our move to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society. Rising to over £9 an hour by 2020, this will outstrip the First Minister's own ambition to have a national minimum wage of £8.70 an hour by 2020.

“This is a Government working to ensure every part of the country benefits from a growing economy whilst also ensuring future generations are not burdened by a debt run up by previous governments in this generation. We have a job to do and we’re here to get on with it.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing said: “These figures show a growing economy and falling unemployment – both extremely encouraging indicators and signs that the economic picture in Scotland is continuing to improve.

“Indeed, Scotland was the only country of the UK where unemployment actually fell over the quarter.

“The 20,000 fall over the year in youth unemployment also means 20,000 more young people are now benefitting from the rewards and opportunities of work – something we are determined to improve on even further.

“Youth employment is one of our highest priorities and we will continue to work with employers and all other interested parties to ensure more of our young men and women get in to work and stay in work.

“These statistics are not just good news for employment but our economy across the board – especially our construction sector.

“Between January and March this year the Scottish economy grew by 0.6 per cent, hot on the heels of a 0.6 per cent expansion in the last three months of 2014 – slightly better than the comparable UK quarter one figure of 0.4 per cent. Compared to the same period last year the Scottish economy has grown 2.8 per cent, very similar to the 2.9 per cent figure UK-wide.

“These figures show very positive signs for our construction sector in particular, which grew by 2.1 per cent over the first three months of the year, and for the production sector – up 0.7 per cent – and the services sector, which grew 0.5 per cent.

“As our economy continues to grow, we will use every power we currently have at our disposal to grow the economy even further, increase employment, lower unemployment and remove barriers to the labour market.”