Unemployment figures improve

Less than 2000 people in Motherwell and Wishaw are unemployed, new figures show.

The good news has been welcomed by Motherwell and Wishaw MSP, Clare Adamson, after it was revealed 1985 people are out of work.

It is a one per cent improvement year on year but the statistics show a 47 per cent decrease from five years ago.

The number of 18-24-year-old’s out of work has dropped 14 per cent year on year down to 475.

Back in 2012, 3771 were unemployed with 1160 18-24-year-old’s.

Clare Adamson MSP insisted the statistics are down to the Scottish Government’s hard work in the area.

She said:“These latest job figures show the fantastic work of the Scottish Government to protect jobs in North Lanarkshire.

“Under the SNP, we have seen unemployment in Motherwell and Wishaw fall by 47 per cent over the past five years.

“Across Scotland, there are 30,000 more people in work compared with this time last year and GDP figures recently showed that Scotland’s growth rate was four times faster than that of the UK over the last quarter.

“This shows that the Scottish Government are using what powers they have to benefit Scotland’s economy.

“Hard Brexit, now advocated by both Labour and the Tories, is estimated to cost 80,000 jobs in Scotland.

“The SNP will continue to fight for Scotland’s place in the Single Market in order to protect jobs in Scotland.”