Jobless total down but working families ‘still feeling the pain’
Concerns over fall in number of people in work
THE number of Scots out of work and looking for a job has fallen, official figures have revealed.
But concerns have been raised over a drop in the amount of people who are in work.
Data published yesterday by the Office for National Statistics shows there were 113,000 jobless Scots between May and July – down 6,000 from February to June.
Across the UK, there were 1.36million unemployed people in the three months to July – 95,000 fewer than for a year earlier and down 1.15million since 2010.
The Britain-wide jobs boom is being fuelled by 10million people over the age of 50 now being in employment, while the overall employment rate remains at a record high of 75.5 per cent.
However, the latest Labour Market report has shown that there was also a drop in the number of people in employment in Scotland – down 6,000 on the previous quarter.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell warned the SNP Government not to be ‘complacent’.
His caution comes after concerns were raised that the drop in employment is due to a rise in economic inactivity – which is when people leave the labour market completely and do not seek work.
These people can include students, those on retirement or those with long-term illnesses.
The latest figures have revealed that the number of people seeking Jobseekers Allowance and out-of-work Universal Credit rose by more than 1,000 to 93,400 last month, and is up 13,300 on the year.
Mr Mundell said: ‘We cannot afford to be complacent. Over the year, Scotland’s performance is worsening, with employment falling and unemployment increasing.
‘It is important that the Scottish Government uses its extensive powers and works with us to create the right conditions to grow Scotland’s economy and boost prosperity.’
Scotland’s unemployment rate fell from 4.3 per cent to 4.1 per cent in the latest quarter – but was up from 3.8 per cent in the same period last year. The UK jobless rate is 4 per cent.
The number of Scots between 16 and 64 in work was 2,556,000 – down 6,000 in the past three months and 32,000 fewer than the same time last year.
The employment rate of 75.1 per cent is lower than the 75.2 per cent of the last quarter. The rate in the rest of the UK is 75.5 per cent. Scottish Labour economy spokesman Jackie Baillie said: ‘Scotland’s economy under the SNP has flatlined, leading to stagnating growth and worsening outlooks.
‘Many working families are feeling the pain with wages not keeping pace with the increase in the cost of living.
‘The SNP’s only answer to this is its infamous cuts commission, which will shackle Scotland to a decade of austerity and cuts.’
The ONS report has revealed that over the year, more than 40,000 Scots left employment – 39,000 of those in the 16 to 24 age group. Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: ‘Scotland’s
‘Cannot afford to be complacent’ ‘A decade of austerity and cuts’
economy and jobs market remains strong despite the continued challenges facing our economy as a result of Brexit uncertainty.’
The figures come after signs of economic growth earlier in the week, when it was revealed the economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the three months to July.
This was its best performance since the end of 2016 and suggests the country is heading towards Brexit in robust shape.
However, separate figures from the OECD show Britain has the worst state pension of any developed country, while women are being hit by successive hikes to the age at which they can take a state pension. It increased from 63 to match men at 65 this year, and will hit 66 for both by 2020.
Although the deficit has almost been cleared, the national debt currently stands at £1.78trillion.
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