LATEST STATS
MSPs in growth calls
200815jobcentre_1 East Kilbride began 2018 with a drop in unemployment.
Between December 2017 and January 2018, the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants dropped by two per cent, according the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
The figures were down 33 per cent year-on-year.
There was also positive news for Avondale residents, with a five per cent decrease between December and January.
Additionally, the figures reveal a significant 27 per cent decline when compared to January 2017.
And East Kilbride narrowly outperformed the South Lanarkshire average – which stood at a 32 per cent annual drop.
Despite the positive trend, Central Scotland Tory MSP Graham Simpson, who lives in East Kilbride, called for more to be done to grow the number of jobs in the town.
“It is always encouraging to see unemployment going down in the town but huge challenges remain,” Mr Simpson told the News.
“Government at all levels must step up to the plate to ensure that East Kilbride has a vibrant future and that the number of jobs actually in the town goes up.”
East Kilbride SNP MSP Linda Fabiani was happy with the results – but recognised more investment was needed.
“It is good to see that employment figures have improved over the year in East Kilbride,” she commented.
“There is always a need for further investment in our economy and the labour market in particular.
“That’s why the recent budget puts £2.4 billion in enterprise and skills, and the small business bonus really helps local businesses, too.”