Employment Levels Down In Scotland

Unemployment in Scotland has increased by 18,000 people over the last 3 months.

From June to August this year, the unemployment rate fell to 6.1%, which is still above the UK average of 5.4%. Average weekly earnings have risen by 2.8%, or around £463 per week.

An additional 500 are claiming jobseekers allowance, bringing the total to 71,000.

The Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell said:
 
"The figures released today show the challenges which remain to ensure households in every part of our country benefit from a growing economy.  There can be no doubt there is still hard work to undertake to build on the UK Government’s long term economic plan which has tackled a record deficit and laid the foundations for a stronger and more stable economy.
 
"Across the UK there are now a near record number of vacancies.  For individuals and families across Scotland we need to ensure they can see the UK and Scottish Governments working together and doing everything they can to help our businesses grow and ensure everyone who works hard have the opportunities they need to succeed."

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: "While Scotland has now seen three years of continuous economic growth, and continues to exceed the UK in the total employment rate and in youth and female employment rates, today’s figures show that there remain serious challenges to economic recovery.

"While we saw the economy grow 1.9 per cent over the year in recent GDP figures, this was driven in part by continued strong infrastructure investment by the Scottish public sector. This investment is threatened by the cuts the UK Government plans to implement to achieve its fiscal mandate. We also have concerns about the impact of UK cuts on wider business and investor confidence."