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Scottish independence: 'stay in union to stop unemployment doubling' Scottish independence: 'stay in union to stop unemployment doubling'
(35 minutes later)
Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, has suggested Scotland should stay in the union to help stop its unemployment rate doubling to the level of Ireland.Iain Duncan Smith, the work and pensions secretary, has suggested Scotland should stay in the union to help stop its unemployment rate doubling to the level of Ireland.
The former Conservative leader, who was born in Edinburgh and served in the Scots Guards, said he hoped it "resonated" with people in Scotland that their unemployment rate of 6% is one of the lowest in the UK, compared with the 11.5% rate in Ireland.The former Conservative leader, who was born in Edinburgh and served in the Scots Guards, said he hoped it "resonated" with people in Scotland that their unemployment rate of 6% is one of the lowest in the UK, compared with the 11.5% rate in Ireland.
The employment rate in Scotland is now 73.9% compared to 73% for the UK as a whole.The employment rate in Scotland is now 73.9% compared to 73% for the UK as a whole.
In contrast to Duncan Smith's argument, the SNP said the new figures, showing record employment of 2.6m, were a "massive boost for the yes campaign", showing there has been scaremongering about Scotland's future. In contrast to Duncan Smith's argument, the Scottish National party said the new figures, showing record employment of 2.6m, were a "massive boost for the yes campaign", showing there has been scaremongering about Scotland's future.
However, Duncan Smith told the BBC that it was "relevant here to remind people" that Scotland's unemployment rate is at 6% and its employment rate is 73% within the United Kingdom.However, Duncan Smith told the BBC that it was "relevant here to remind people" that Scotland's unemployment rate is at 6% and its employment rate is 73% within the United Kingdom.
He added: "I also looked at a country very similar to Scotland outside of the United Kingdom that had gone through a very similar recession, that of Ireland, for whom the United Kingdom is probably its major trading partner a bit like Scotland, and there it's really startling. If you compare Scotland with Ireland what you actually see from these figures – and I had them double checked – is that Scotland's unemployment rate is half that of Ireland's, pretty much. Scotland's at 6%, Ireland's is 11.5% ... The advantages of being in the union from this I think begin to be very clear. Coming out of the recession, Scotland has done proportionately better than most of the rest of the UK and significantly better than Ireland, and I hope that resonates." He added: "I also looked at a country very similar to Scotland outside of the United Kingdom that had gone through a very similar recession, that of Ireland, for whom the United Kingdom is probably its major trading partner a bit like Scotland, and there it's really startling. If you compare Scotland with Ireland what you actually see from these figures – and I had them double-checked – is that Scotland's unemployment rate is half that of Ireland's, pretty much. Scotland's at 6%, Ireland's is 11.5% … The advantages of being in the union from this I think begin to be very clear. Coming out of the recession, Scotland has done proportionately better than most of the rest of the UK and significantly better than Ireland, and I hope that resonates."
Duncan Smith has previously said the case for Scotland staying in the union is primarily "emotional", rather than about money, and more needed to be done to convey the views of those who "feel passionately for the UK's unity".Duncan Smith has previously said the case for Scotland staying in the union is primarily "emotional", rather than about money, and more needed to be done to convey the views of those who "feel passionately for the UK's unity".
Despite his Scottish roots, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, is a divisive figure because of his reforms to welfare, which is not a devolved matter. Last year, he was heckled in Scotland by anti-cuts campaigners calling him a "ratbag" when he gave a speech.Despite his Scottish roots, the Conservative MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, is a divisive figure because of his reforms to welfare, which is not a devolved matter. Last year, he was heckled in Scotland by anti-cuts campaigners calling him a "ratbag" when he gave a speech.
Scotland's employment rate has increased for the last 19 consecutive months, while the number of people claiming unemployment benefits has fallen for 18 consecutive months and is at its lowest level since the financial crisis. Scotland's employment rate has increased for the last 19 consecutive months, while the number of people claiming unemployment benefit has fallen for 18 consecutive months and is at its lowest level since the financial crisis.
John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, said the figures were a "vote of economic confidence in Scotland".John Swinney, the Scottish finance secretary, said the figures were a "vote of economic confidence in Scotland".
"On every headline figure we are outperforming the UK," he said. "That is the reality of Scotland's economy and that clearly demonstrates how wrong the scaremongering of the UK Government and the no campaign has been. "On every headline figure we are outperforming the UK," he said. "That is the reality of Scotland's economy and that clearly demonstrates how wrong the scaremongering of the UK government and the no campaign has been.
"Two years ago the chancellor claimed that the referendum process would be bad for Scotland's economy. Instead employment is at a record high and our economy has recovered from the Westminster recession.""Two years ago the chancellor claimed that the referendum process would be bad for Scotland's economy. Instead employment is at a record high and our economy has recovered from the Westminster recession."