Number of people signing on dole in Capital slows down

THE number of people signing on the dole in Edinburgh has slowed markedly, new figures have revealed.

Official data shows that 10,014 people claimed jobseekers allowance in the Capital last month. The figure is five per cent lower than August, and only 0.2 per cent up on September 2010.

Nationally, the number of people claiming JSA declined by 1100 in September - the first decline since June.

But Enterprise Minister Jim Mather warned that the recovery could be halted by Westminster funding cuts.

He said: "Today's figures show a welcome fall in the monthly claimant count in Scotland - compared to a UK-wide increase - and the third consecutive reported rise in employment and fall in economic inactivity.

"But with a week until the UK Comprehensive Spending Review, people are still losing jobs.