Scottish unemployment falls

FEWER people are out of work in Scotland, according to official figures out today.

Unemployment fell by 10,000 to 207,000 over February and April compared with the previous three months.

But the number of people in work also fell by 7,000 to just over 2.4 million.

The unemployment rate in Scotland is now 7.7 per cent, the same as the UK average.

Jobseeker's allowance numbers rose by 1,200 during last month to 139,300.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "The fall in unemployment over the three months to April is welcome news but we recognise these are challenging times for the Scottish labour market. The increase in people claiming jobseeker's allowance is clearly disappointing.

"The UK Government invited the Scottish Government, the country's employment organisations and other stakeholders to work together for a stronger Scottish labour market. This is why we held a seminar in North Ayrshire to look at practical solutions to fight youth unemployment, and will follow this up with two more events in Scotland."

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "The Scottish Government is committed to securing new jobs, investment and economic growth, and I welcome this further fall in unemployment.

"The economic policy we are delivering in Scotland within our current powers, including maximising infrastructure investment as a driver of recovery, has resulted in workforce construction employment increasing by 11.6 per cent in the year to March, compared with a fall of 0.2 per cent across the UK as a whole.

"But while I welcome continued falling unemployment, there can be no grounds for complacency and more needs to be done to support jobs, secure investment and boost economic activity across Scotland.

"That is why this Government is seeking new job-creating powers in the Scotland Bill, so that we can do more to support economic recovery and advance the interests of the people and economy of Scotland."