This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-39576751
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scotland's jobless total falls by 15,000 | Scotland's jobless total falls by 15,000 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Unemployment in Scotland fell by 15,000 over the winter to stand at 123,000, according to official figures. | Unemployment in Scotland fell by 15,000 over the winter to stand at 123,000, according to official figures. |
| The jobless rate dropped by 0.5% to 4.5% in the three months to February, while the rate for the UK as a whole was unchanged at 4.7%. | The jobless rate dropped by 0.5% to 4.5% in the three months to February, while the rate for the UK as a whole was unchanged at 4.7%. |
| Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed that employment north of the border fell by 8,000 to reach 2,596,000. | Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed that employment north of the border fell by 8,000 to reach 2,596,000. |
| It now stands at 73.4% - below the UK average of 74.6%. | It now stands at 73.4% - below the UK average of 74.6%. |
| The number of adults under 65 counted as economically inactive rose by 18,000 over the quarter to 786,000. | |
| The claimant count rose by 2,300 in March to 77,000. | The claimant count rose by 2,300 in March to 77,000. |
| Meanwhile, average weekly earnings, including bonuses, increased by 2.3% - the same as in the year to January. | Meanwhile, average weekly earnings, including bonuses, increased by 2.3% - the same as in the year to January. |
| On Tuesday, data showed inflation was running at 2.3%, above the Bank of England's 2% target. | On Tuesday, data showed inflation was running at 2.3%, above the Bank of England's 2% target. |
| The labour market figures come a week after new statistics showed that Scottish economic output contracted by 0.2% in the final quarter of last year. | |
| Jobs market 'resilient' | Jobs market 'resilient' |
| Employability and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn said: "Despite economic challenges these latest figures show Scotland's labour market remains resilient with unemployment falling and our female employment rates and youth unemployment rates outperforming the UK. | Employability and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn said: "Despite economic challenges these latest figures show Scotland's labour market remains resilient with unemployment falling and our female employment rates and youth unemployment rates outperforming the UK. |
| "While we are doing all we can to support employment, clearly the biggest threat to Scotland's labour market continues to be a hard Brexit, which threatens to cost our economy up to £11bn a year from 2030, and cost the country 80,000 jobs over a decade." | "While we are doing all we can to support employment, clearly the biggest threat to Scotland's labour market continues to be a hard Brexit, which threatens to cost our economy up to £11bn a year from 2030, and cost the country 80,000 jobs over a decade." |
| Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, said: "While there is some good news for Scotland in these figures, the falling employment numbers and rising inactivity statistics are a real cause for concern. | Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, said: "While there is some good news for Scotland in these figures, the falling employment numbers and rising inactivity statistics are a real cause for concern. |
| "They also come on the back of worrying GDP figures last week." | "They also come on the back of worrying GDP figures last week." |
| He added: "The Scottish government now need to act urgently to secure the Scottish economy and help more people into work. | He added: "The Scottish government now need to act urgently to secure the Scottish economy and help more people into work. |
| "Holyrood has new powers over tax and welfare, with the tools to shape Scotland's economy." | "Holyrood has new powers over tax and welfare, with the tools to shape Scotland's economy." |