John Swinney unveils £10m jobs package

UP TO 5,000 people will be helped into work in Scotland thanks to a new £10 million funding package, the finance secretary has announced.

John Swinney said the money would be used to encourage small and medium-sized companies to take staff on, provide assistance with hiring new employees, and encourage Scotland's exporting companies.

Speaking at a Business Gateway event in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney said: "For a sustained period, Scotland has been the only nation in the UK with rising employment and falling unemployment.

"While this is encouraging, and reflects the decisive and comprehensive action the Scottish Government has taken to support jobs, there can be no let-up in our efforts to help people into work.

"That is why, as part of the Budget process, and building on discussions we had to build to consensus, I have been able to provide further crucial funding to provide a package of support that will create thousands more new opportunities for people across Scotland.

"This 10m fund will help provide an incentive for companies to take staff on, it will provide crucial cash to help meet the cost of hiring more employees and it will also be targeted at our exporting companies - a crucial area which has helped lead the recovery we have seen across Scotland.

"In all, it is investment that reflects our clear priority of investing to support economic recovery and will support up to 5,000 new jobs for individuals."

Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr said he was pleased that the Scottish Government had taken steps to help businesses, but said it was "four years too late".

He said: "You have to question the sincerity of the SNP's commitment when unemployment has soared under their watch, but it is only now, 30 days before the election campaign, that they are coming forward with policies to support business."