Scottish Unemployment rises by 8000

Unemployment in Scotland has
increased for the first time this year,
according to the latest official figures.
The British Broadcasting Corporation
reported on Wednesday that the number
of jobless rose by 8,000, to 205,000, in the
quarter between March and May.

The figures, released by the Office for
National Statistics, contrasted with a fall of
57,000 in United Kingdom unemployment.
It now stands at 2.51 million.
Employment in Scotland rose by 4,000 and
now stands at 2,511,000.
At 7.5 per cent, the Scots unemployment
rate is slightly below the UK rate of 7.8 per
cent.

The number of people claiming Job
Seeker's Allowance fell by 1,600 from May
to 133,400 in June. The figure is 9,600
lower than the same period last year.
The rise in Scottish unemployment brings
to an end a run of seven consecutive falls.

Meanwhile, official figures showed the
Scottish economy grew by 0.4 per cent in
the first three months of this year, slightly
faster than in the UK as a whole.
Scottish Secretary, Michael Moore, said,
"After a period of improving labour market
conditions there is a mixed picture this
month.

"The news that unemployment in Scotland
has increased slightly over the last quarter
is disappointing.
"It is better news that there is an increase
in employment and a fall in the number of
people claiming JSA.

"This emphasises the importance of
Scotland's two governments putting all
their efforts towards creating
opportunities and getting people back into
long term sustainable employment."
The Scottish government said the data
showed that Scotland was outperforming
the UK on employment.
Enterprise Minister, Fergus Ewing, said,

"The Scottish government is keen that the
whole UK does well but it is gratifying to
see that the variety of policies that we
have been pursuing are meaning we are
starting to see our performance exceed
that of other parts of the UK.

"Not only is the unemployment rate lower
than this time last year, but the number of
people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance has
fallen to its lowest level since September
2009.

"Our youth employment rate is also
surpassing that of the UK, with the number
of young people in work continuing to
rise."

Scottish Labour's finance spokeswoman,
Jenny Marra, said the figures continued to
show "a mixed economic picture" for
Scotland.

She added, "While there is some good
news, increasing unemployment and a
substantial increase in those relying on
part-time work shows just how fragile our
economy remains.

"The ongoing contraction to the
construction sector shows yet again the
damaging impact of the failed economic
policies of both the SNP government and
the UK government.

Meanwhile, a survey carried out by the
Scottish Council for Development and
Industry has suggested that an increasing
number of businesses across Scotland are
planning to recruit over the coming year.

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