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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Scots employment at five-year high | Scots employment at five-year high |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Employment in Scotland has reached its highest level for five years, according to the latest official figures. | Employment in Scotland has reached its highest level for five years, according to the latest official figures. |
| Employment rose by 37,000 over the three months to August, and now stands at 2,548,000. | Employment rose by 37,000 over the three months to August, and now stands at 2,548,000. |
| The number of unemployed Scots fell by 3,000 to 201,000 over the summer period. | The number of unemployed Scots fell by 3,000 to 201,000 over the summer period. |
| Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed the Scottish jobless rate at 7.3%, which is below the average of 7.7% for the whole of the UK. | Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed the Scottish jobless rate at 7.3%, which is below the average of 7.7% for the whole of the UK. |
| The number of unemployed in the UK fell by 18,000 in the June-August period to 2.49 million. | The number of unemployed in the UK fell by 18,000 in the June-August period to 2.49 million. |
| Meanwhile, the number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) in Scotland fell by 3,500 from August to 121,800 in September. | Meanwhile, the number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) in Scotland fell by 3,500 from August to 121,800 in September. |
| The total was down by 18,200 on September 2012. | The total was down by 18,200 on September 2012. |
| The labour market statistics were released as figures showed that the Scottish economy grew for the fourth successive quarter, with growth of 0.6% during April to June. | The labour market statistics were released as figures showed that the Scottish economy grew for the fourth successive quarter, with growth of 0.6% during April to June. |
| 'Very encouraging' | 'Very encouraging' |
| Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael described the labour market figures as "very encouraging". | Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael described the labour market figures as "very encouraging". |
| He said: "We continue to work hard to create the right conditions for sustained long-term employment in Scotland. | He said: "We continue to work hard to create the right conditions for sustained long-term employment in Scotland. |
| "As part of the UK, Scotland gains from tax reductions such as the new employment allowance of £2,000 per year, benefiting 70,000 businesses in Scotland by £100m in total, and taking 35,000 businesses out of employer national insurance contributions altogether." | |
| Finance Secretary Mr Swinney also welcomed the latest figures. | Finance Secretary Mr Swinney also welcomed the latest figures. |
| He said: "These positive figures highlight the significant economic progress being made in Scotland. | He said: "These positive figures highlight the significant economic progress being made in Scotland. |
| "While times remain challenging, Scotland's economy has grown faster than the UK over the last year to quarter two, with employment now at a five-year high and the economy growing for the fourth consecutive quarter. | "While times remain challenging, Scotland's economy has grown faster than the UK over the last year to quarter two, with employment now at a five-year high and the economy growing for the fourth consecutive quarter. |
| "On figures for employment, unemployment, inactivity and youth employment Scotland continues to perform better than the UK as a whole, with the employment rate amongst our young people continuing to be the highest of all UK nations." | "On figures for employment, unemployment, inactivity and youth employment Scotland continues to perform better than the UK as a whole, with the employment rate amongst our young people continuing to be the highest of all UK nations." |
| 'Worrying trends' | |
| Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary Grahame Smith said: "Despite modest improvements on a couple of indicators, including youth unemployment, the picture in Scotland is essentially one of 12-month stagnation in the employment market and some worrying trends on women's unemployment. | |
| "The improvement in long-term unemployment trends is a slightly surprising but welcome trend which we hope will continue." |