COMMENT

Unemployment in Scotland fell by 6,000 in the first three months of the year, new figures show.

The number of people not in work was 118,000 between January and March, down from 124,000 in the previous three months. At the same time, the number of people in employment also fell slightly by 2,000 to 2.63 million.

Scotland’s unemployment rate was 4.3 per cent over the period, down slightly from 4.5 per cent in the previous quarter and 4.4 per cent in the same quarter last year.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show the unemployment rate in the UK as a whole for people aged 16 years and over was slightly lower than in Scotland at 4.2 per cent.

Northern Ireland had the lowest regional unemployment rate at 3.1 per cent while Wales recorded 4.4 per cent.

Scotland’s employment rate was 74.7 per cent just behind the UK rate of 75.6 per cent.

The figures were welcomed, although opposition parties said more still needed to be done to boost the economy.

Scottish Labour’s Economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP said: “It is welcome that wages have risen in real terms for the first time in more than a year, while unemployment has also fallen.

“But the reality is the Tories and the SNP cannot rest on their laurels after just one encouraging set of figures.

“We must go further. That is why Scottish Labour is arguing for a real living wage of £10 an hour, as well as a comprehensive review of public procurement to ensure good pay and conditions on taxpayerfunded projects.”

Employability Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “The rise in the employment rate is welcome news and shows that despite the challenging economic conditions facing us as a result of Brexit, our economy and jobs market remains strong.

“Our employment rate has

“The latest labour market data illustrate that the Scottish labour market continues to remain relatively robust with high employment and low unemployment.”

DR STUART MCINTYRE