Signs of hope in jobless figures

UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen across the UK, despite warnings uncertainty during the EU referendum would harm the economy.

The Office for National Statistics released a slew of positive data yesterday, including the news that employment in Britain has reached an all-time record high.

Following warnings that Scotland’s economy is on the brink of recession, there was also good news north of the Border.

However, the figures mainly include the period leading up to June’s referendum and industry chiefs still insist the Brexit result poses a major risk. Unemployment in Scotland fell by 26,000 between April and June, with the number of people out of work – 143,000 – now at its lowest since 2009.

Worryingly, the Scottish unemployment rate is at 5.2 per cent, above the rate of 4.9 per cent for the UK as a whole. The UK’s jobless total fell by 52,000 to 1.64 million.

Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘It is vital that the Scottish and UK governments continue to use every power at their disposal to support businesses at this crucial time.’

Scottish Trades Union Congress general secretary Grahame Smith said: ‘It will be a huge challenge to sustain these gains in the wake of the EU referendum result.’

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: ‘Today’s figures show that we enter the EU negotiations from a position of strength.’

Jamie Hepburn, Scotland’s Minister for Employability, said: ‘We will ensure we work hard to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU.’