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| Rise in benefit claimants slows | Rise in benefit claimants slows |
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| Latest unemployment figures reveal just 300 more people claimed Jobseeker's Allowance in Scotland last month, suggesting a slowdown in job losses. | Latest unemployment figures reveal just 300 more people claimed Jobseeker's Allowance in Scotland last month, suggesting a slowdown in job losses. |
| But the broader measure of unemployment that includes those not on benefits rose more sharply. | But the broader measure of unemployment that includes those not on benefits rose more sharply. |
| The number of people in Scotland seeking work from June to August rose by 13,000, to 192,000. | The number of people in Scotland seeking work from June to August rose by 13,000, to 192,000. |
| That was a steeper rise than across the rest of Britain, where unemployment figures stayed below the 2.5m mark. | That was a steeper rise than across the rest of Britain, where unemployment figures stayed below the 2.5m mark. |
| But the Scottish employment rate stands at 74%, which is still above that of the UK and almost all countries within the EU. | |
| Those looking for work over the three-month period, though not necessarily on benefit, represent 7.1% of the workforce. | Those looking for work over the three-month period, though not necessarily on benefit, represent 7.1% of the workforce. |
| Those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance now stands at 132,600, or 4.7% of the workforce. | |
| It is clear that for those who have just lost their jobs the recession is still all too real Jim MurphyScottish secretary | |
| Jim Murphy, the secretary of state for Scotland, said: "These latest figures show the economic downturn continues to have a serious effect on the Scottish labour market. | |
| "Despite that, I know that the measures the UK government have taken and the continuing support for the economy are working. | |
| "The increase of 300 people claiming unemployment benefit is better than in previous months but still a real blow to the families who have lost their jobs. | |
| "While economists debate whether the recession is nearly over, it is clear that for those who have just lost their jobs the recession is still all too real." | |
| Meanwhile separate figures published by the Scottish government showed that in almost a fifth of all households no-one was working. | |
| Statistics from 2008 revealed that 17.3% of households were classed as workless - meaning there were no adults of working age in employment. | |
| 'Sharp relief' | |
| That was slightly higher than the previous year, but the figure varied across the country. | |
| For instance, in Glasgow the number of workless households was 28.9%, while in Aberdeenshire it was 9.2%. | |
| The 2008 figures also showed that 13.7% of children across Scotland - almost one in seven youngsters - were living in workless households, but this rises to 24.5% of children in Glasgow. | |
| Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "This new publication brings into sharp relief the impact of unemployment on individuals. | |
| "Last year, over one in six households had no working adult and almost one in seven children lived in a workless household." | |
| He pledged: "This government will continue to do all we can to create the right conditions for economic growth and deliver the wealthier and fairer society that Scotland deserves." |