Joy as our dole queues get shorter
Paisley MP hails rise in employment figures
Dole queues have been cut in Renfrewshire, new statistics reveal.
Jobcentre chiefs say benefit claimant numbers have fallen as more adults find employment.
A surge in the working population has seen Jobseekers Allowance hand-outs drop almost 44 per cent since 2010.
Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, has hailed efforts to create and fill roles.
She said: “It is very welcome news that employment in Scotland and Renfrewshire continues to rise.
“Unemployment now matches its lowest rate since records began.
“With this good news we must be clear that a hard Brexit and potentially leaving the European single market is a huge threat to jobs in Scotland.
“The UK Government has to reconsider their plans and look for broad consensus to see us retain our place.
“Given continuing employment challenges, the Westminster government must look again at their plans to shut down Department for Work and Pensions offices throughout Scotland, including the Lonend Contact Centre in Paisley.”
The latest figures revealed there are 2,945 claimants in receipt of unemployment benefits across Renfrewshire in August last year – 30 fewer than the same period in 2015.
There were 35 less 18 to 24-year-olds asking for help.
The total number has reduced from 5,246 in 2010.
A Department for Work and Pensions report says firms of all sizes are helping get people back into work.
It said: “The labour market in Renfrewshire chiefly consists of small to medium employers with the retail, care, hospitality and call centre sectors dominating.
“Glasgow Airport is the largest employer with over 6,000 employed at peak times.
“As well as the airport employing a large number of local residents, the biggest employers are in the public sector services, local authority, schools, college and NHS.
“Good relationships with local employers have secured sector based work academies and work experience placements with employers such as B&M, Boots and Co-op, as well as many small employers and charities.”
It is very welcome news that employment in Renfrewshire continues to rise