Unemployment figures for Lothian double in past year

Published on Friday 17 July 2009 10:31

UNEMPLOYMENT in the Lothians has virtually doubled in the past year, a breakdown of the latest jobless statistics shows.

The number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance soared from 9,807 in June last year to 18,823 last month.

The national unemployment statistics published this week were the worst since 1995 with 2.38 million people jobless in the UK.

Figures suggest unemployment in Scotland is rising faster than in the rest of the UK.

And today opposition politicians said the situation in Edinburgh and the Lothians would get worse before it got better.

The detailed breakdown shows Edinburgh North & Leith with the highest number of unemployed in the city at 2,577.

But East Lothian saw the biggest increase from last year – 157 per cent, taking the total there from 630 to 1,619.

And Linlithgow & Falkirk East has the biggest number out of work in the region at 3,050.

Scottish Labour leader and East Lothian MSP Iain Gray said he was concerned about the big increase in the jobless figures in the area.

"Over the last decade the county has enjoyed a very low unemployment rate well below the Scottish average, so such a big rise is very worrying.

"Everyone from the Scottish Government to East Lothian Council needs to leave no stone unturned to protect existing jobs and create new ones."

Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP for Edinburgh North & Leith, added: "The figures are worrying and emphasise the need to continue with the spending measures necessary to help right the economy, as well as the short-term jobs programmes the government is putting into effect."

And he called for support for sectors of the economy such as renewable energy which could create new jobs in the future.

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said the full impact of job losses in the banking sector had not yet been felt in the Capital, adding: "I fear that the situation here will get much worse before they get better."

Lothians Tory MSP Gavin Brown said the rise in unemployment over the past 12 months was "shocking", adding: "My fear is the position could yet get worse."

He urged an expansion of the loan guarantee scheme for companies, more investment in skills training and incentives for employers to take on new workers.