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Scottish unemployment sees further fall Scottish unemployment sees further fall
(about 1 hour later)
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 25,000 over the summer, according to the latest official figures.Unemployment in Scotland fell by 25,000 over the summer, according to the latest official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate between June and August had fallen to 4.6%, below the rate for the UK as a whole at 4.9%.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate between June and August had fallen to 4.6%, below the rate for the UK as a whole at 4.9%.
This left the number of jobless people in Scotland at 127,000.This left the number of jobless people in Scotland at 127,000.
However, employment rates also decreased slightly, down 0.1% percentage points to 74%, meaning there were 2,618,000 people in employment.However, employment rates also decreased slightly, down 0.1% percentage points to 74%, meaning there were 2,618,000 people in employment.
Across the UK, the jobless total rose by 10,000 - reaching 1.66 million.Across the UK, the jobless total rose by 10,000 - reaching 1.66 million.
The UK government welcomed the Scottish figures and said that unemployment was now at its lowest level since 2008.The UK government welcomed the Scottish figures and said that unemployment was now at its lowest level since 2008.
'Falling again'
The Scottish government said Scotland was outperforming the rest of the UK on unemployment, female employment, and inactivity rates.The Scottish government said Scotland was outperforming the rest of the UK on unemployment, female employment, and inactivity rates.
They said there were 54,000 more people in employment now compared to the pre-recession peak in May 2008.They said there were 54,000 more people in employment now compared to the pre-recession peak in May 2008.
Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn, said: "Despite continuing economic concerns following the EU referendum result, these latest statistics show our policies and investment are helping to reduce unemployment.Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn, said: "Despite continuing economic concerns following the EU referendum result, these latest statistics show our policies and investment are helping to reduce unemployment.
"We will not be complacent and are absolutely committed to taking action to tackle inequalities and increase employment rates.""We will not be complacent and are absolutely committed to taking action to tackle inequalities and increase employment rates."
The UK Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said: "I am pleased to see unemployment falling again in Scotland, and it is now at its lowest level since 2008.The UK Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said: "I am pleased to see unemployment falling again in Scotland, and it is now at its lowest level since 2008.
"But it is worrying that employment is down and more people are dropping out of the labour market in Scotland when the rest of the UK is seeing employment up.""But it is worrying that employment is down and more people are dropping out of the labour market in Scotland when the rest of the UK is seeing employment up."
'Mixed picture'
He added: "The levers to shape the Scottish economy are there for the Scottish government to pull. They need to start focusing on the day job and how they can use their new powers to support the Scottish economy.He added: "The levers to shape the Scottish economy are there for the Scottish government to pull. They need to start focusing on the day job and how they can use their new powers to support the Scottish economy.
"Because these are not just statistics - behind the fall in employment and rise in economic inactivity are thousands of people in Scotland who deserve the security and opportunity that a job brings.""Because these are not just statistics - behind the fall in employment and rise in economic inactivity are thousands of people in Scotland who deserve the security and opportunity that a job brings."
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said the Scottish government needed to invest in skills to raise productivity.
She said: "These latest figures present a mixed picture of the Scottish economy.
"The large fall in unemployment is good news but overall levels of employment in Scotland have fallen, economic inactivity is rising, as has the number of those claiming benefits.
"Against a background of Scottish economic growth which has lagged below overall UK growth levels since April 2015, it is clear that challenges remain to be addressed, including the need to grow Scotland's productivity, which remains low by international standards."