Employment up in East Kilbride

Unemployment in East Kilbride continued its downward trend last month.

Figures for June show that unemployment across town was down by four per cent on the previous month and 29 per cent on the same period last year.

From May 2016, Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) claimants were reduced from 641 to 615, and dropped from 1013 in June 2015.

The East Kilbride Central North council area had the highest number of JSA claimants with 162.

East Kilbride South followed with 139, Central South had 137 and East had 126.

East Kilbride West again had the lowest number of claimants with just 51 in June.

East Kilbride had a higher average reduction in unemployment than South Lanarkshire, which saw a 2.4 per cent drop in the number of claimants on the previous month.

Across Scotland there was a three per cent drop monthon-month, and a three per cent decrease annually.

The Department of Work and Pensions said that they had no further information about BHS closure dates however have been working with partners to give information and support to employees.

They added that they were working with DHL and Connect Appointment in College Milton, who they say have various vacancies in EK.

A spokesperson for the DWP said: “We’re determined to make Britain a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.

“This includes helping more people of all ages and abilities to get into, and stay in work.

“Encouragingly, in Scotland there’s a near record 2.6 million people in work, with an employment rate of 74 per cent.”