Jobseeker claimant count rises in Glasgow

THE JobSeeker claimant count in Glasgow increased slightly over the last year according to the latest statistics.

Another 255 people were added to the list of claimants taking the JSA count to 3.4% in the city.

The claimant count in Glasgow is the fourth highest in Scotland, with North Ayrshire the highest at 4.1% and West Dunbartonshire and Inverclyde also higher than Glasgow.

The city was above the Scottish figure of 2.4% and the UK figure of 2.0%.

The Labour market statistics also showed that unemployment fell slightly in Scotland over the last three months with 15,000 fewer people out of work.

The latest figures show 123,000 people out of work, with the rate down 0.5 percentage points to 4.5%.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Employability and Training, said: “Despite economic challenges these latest figures show Scotland’s labour market remains resilient with unemployment falling and our female employ- ment rates and youth unemployment rates outperforming the UK.”

However the statistics also show that the employment total in Scotland fell by 8,000 over the three months to February 2017 to 2,596,000.

David Mundell, Scottish Secretary, said: “While there is some good news for Scotland in these figures, the fall- ing employment numbers and rising inactivity statistics are a real cause for concern.”

Jackie Baillie Labour’s economy spokeswoman, welcomed the fall, but said: “The increase in economic inactivity and the fall in the number of people in work is a worrying sign of the underlying problems in Scotland’s economy.”