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Scottish unemployment rate continues to fall | Scottish unemployment rate continues to fall |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Unemployment in Scotland has fallen for the third month in a row, according to official figures. | Unemployment in Scotland has fallen for the third month in a row, according to official figures. |
The number of people out of work fell by 14,000 between February and April to stand at 220,000. | The number of people out of work fell by 14,000 between February and April to stand at 220,000. |
The unemployment rate is now 8.2%, which is equal to the average for the whole of the UK. | The unemployment rate is now 8.2%, which is equal to the average for the whole of the UK. |
Scotland's claimant count increased by 400 between April and May to reach a total of 142,600 - 2,500 more than this time last year. | Scotland's claimant count increased by 400 between April and May to reach a total of 142,600 - 2,500 more than this time last year. |
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed employment in Scotland rose by 18,000 over the three months to April. | Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also showed employment in Scotland rose by 18,000 over the three months to April. |
The number of people working in Scotland now stands at 2,481,000. | The number of people working in Scotland now stands at 2,481,000. |
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said any rise in employment in Scotland was to be welcomed. | Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said any rise in employment in Scotland was to be welcomed. |
"These figures show the third consecutive month of reporting an increase in those finding work," he said. | "These figures show the third consecutive month of reporting an increase in those finding work," he said. |
"That is both good news for those getting into paid work and for our economy. | "That is both good news for those getting into paid work and for our economy. |
For several months, the official job figures for Scotland haven't matched up with other evidence that the UK economy dipped back into recession during winter. | |
And given that the public sector has been shedding jobs at a rapid rate - 28,000 in Scotland during 2011 - there are consistent signs that the private sector is proving resilient at creating jobs. | |
It's not proving so good at creating them for women, however, as they are harder hit by the public sector contraction. | |
Not all of the new recruits are part-time, which has been a concern in the past two years, particularly as many people are taking part-time jobs when they want or need a full-time one. | |
The most recent UK figures show a roughly equal growth in part- and full-time employment. | |
So where are these jobs coming from? | |
The energy sector is one explanation. And there's news out today that foreign investment in Scotland is holding up well, in difficult circumstances. | |
"The Scottish labour market is showing signs of resilience but there is no room for complacency as we work towards securing growth and creating further jobs." | "The Scottish labour market is showing signs of resilience but there is no room for complacency as we work towards securing growth and creating further jobs." |
Mr Moore added: "Scotland and the UK continue to face significant international challenges and that underlines our need to remain on course with our current economic strategy. | Mr Moore added: "Scotland and the UK continue to face significant international challenges and that underlines our need to remain on course with our current economic strategy. |
"We will continue to do everything we can to ensure labour market conditions improve further and get more people back into work." | "We will continue to do everything we can to ensure labour market conditions improve further and get more people back into work." |
Finance Secretary John Swinney said there were "positive indications" in the Scottish economy, but an expansion of capital investment by the UK government was needed to boost job creation. | |
He added: "We submitted a list of over 30 shovel-ready projects to the prime minister in March, and if these projects could go ahead now they would provide a vital boost to jobs and economic activity in Scotland. | |
"This has to be addressed as a matter of urgency - it's time for the Westminster government to stop dragging its heels, and deliver the funding so that work on these projects can get underway and benefit communities across Scotland." | |
'Working hard' | |
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce said it was clear from the figures that Scotland's private sector was working hard to create jobs, even against the threat of a double-dip recession. | |
Chief executive Liz Cameron said: "What Scottish business needs now is a fresh injection of confidence to take them on a path towards growth that will bring Scotland's economy back to prosperity. | |
"This could in part be provided by a recognition by the UK government that it needs to expand its programme of infrastructure investment, which would in turn result in a capital boost to the Scottish government, allowing it to accelerate the programme of work outlined in its Infrastructure Investment Plan." | |
Meanwhile, separate figures released by Scotland's chief statistician have shown a 4.5% year-on-year fall in the number of people employed in the public sector. | |
In the first quarter of 2012, a total of 584,800 people were employed in the sector - a fall of 27,600 on the same period last year. | |
Public sector jobs currently account for 23.8% of overall employment in Scotland, down from 24.8% in the first quarter of last year. |