UNEMPLOYMENT in Scotland fell by 6000 down to 113,000 between May and July, according to the latest job figures.
The number of Scots aged 16 to 64 in employment was 2,556,000, up from earlier in the year, but still 32,000 lower than last year.
That’s an employment rate of 75.1% for the quarter, down from 75.8% in the same period last year.
The rate was slightly below the UK as a whole, where employment was 75.5%.
Scotland’s unemployment rate at 4.1% is just above that of the UK as a whole at 4.0%.
Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “I very much welcome the fact that Scotland’s unemployment rate fell over the quarter to 4.1%.
“On employment for women and young people, we continue to outperform the UK with an employment rate of 71.5% for women, higher than the UK rate of 71.0%, and an employment rate for young people of 56.2%, higher than the UK rate of 54.7%.
“Compared to the UK we also have lower rates of unemployment and inactivity for women and young people.
“While these results show a very slight decrease in employment, comparing these figures against historical trends shows Scotland’s economy and jobs market remains strong despite the continued challenges facing our economy as a result of Brexit uncertainty.”
However, secretary of state for Scotland David Mundell was more downbeat. He said: “The latest employment figures show
that we cannot afford to be complacent.
“Over the year, Scotland’s performance is worsening, with employment falling and unemployment increasing.
“It is important that the Scottish Government uses its extensive powers and works with us to create the right conditions to grow Scotland’s economy and boost prosperity.
Labour’s conomy spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:“While a fall in unemployment is welcome, the drop in employment once again points to the significant issues Scotland’s economy faces under the SNP. It is disappointing to note that inactivity rates remain persistently high.
“As the David Hume Institute recently pointed out, productivity in Scotland under the SNP has flatlined, leading to stagnating growth and worsening outlooks. Many working families are alsofeeling the pain with wages not keeping pace with the cost of living.
“The SNP’s only answer to this is its infamous cuts commission, which will shackle Scotland to a decade of austerity and cuts, the cost of which will be borne by working people.
“We need a fundamental shift in how we grow our economy and Scottish Labour has an industrial strategy to develop the high wage, high skill jobs Scotland needs.”
Rate fall welcomed
Across the UK, wages, excluding bonuses, grew by a faster-than-expected 2.9%, compared with a year ago.
Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “I very much welcome the fact that Scotland’s unemployment rate fell over the quarter to 4.1%.
“On employment for women and young people, we continue to outperform the UK with an employment rate of 71.5% for women, higher than the UK rate of 71.0%, and an employment rate for young people of 56.2%, higher than the UK rate of 54.7%.
“Compared to the UK we also have lower rates of unemployment and inactivity for women and young people.
“While these results show a very slight decrease in employment, comparing these figures against historical trends shows Scotland’s economy and jobs market remains strong despite the continued challenges facing our economy as a result of Brexit uncertainty.”
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