Jobless rate in Scotland bucks the rising trend for the UK

SCOTLAND has bucked the nationwide trend in rising unemployment, according to the latest official figures.

While the Uk-wide unemployment rate reached a fiveyear high in November, in Scotland it was 4.4 per cent – a fall of 0.1% on the previous month.

The Uk-wide unemployment rate for the same period was 5%, the highest rate since 2016.

However, the figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday highlighted the decline of people in work over the last year with 67,000 fewer people employed in Scotland in November compared to the same time in

2019.

The Scottish Government said the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme had an “important role”in “supporting employers and employees”, adding that Brexit and the uncertainty of the future of the scheme was creating an “extremely uncertain time for the economy and jobs”.

The UK Government said the Scottish economy showed “resilience” in the face of the pandemic, acknowledging that there were still “turbulent times ahead”. Along with unemployment rates, the ONS released data on the number of people who were employed in all areas of the UK, as well as those claiming benefits.

The employment rate for Scotland in November last year was 74.4%, while the Uk-wide rate

was 75.2%. The number of people claiming benefits has also risen dramatically in the past year in Scotland, with 210,800 people now claiming support – a rise of almost 90% on the year before.

Jamie Hepburn, the Scottish Government’s business minister, said: “These figures still do not reflect the full impact of coronavirus or outlook for employment as the Job Retention Scheme continues to play an important role in supporting employers and employees.

“Combined with the huge economic uncertainty caused by Brexit, this remains an extremely uncertain time for the economy and jobs.”

He said the business support was in addition to other schemes such as the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee, which aims to give 16 to 24-year-olds the opportunity of employment, training or education.

He added: “We are taking every step within our power to create a stronger, more resilient, sustainable economy for Scotland and this week the Finance Secretary will set out the next budget which will outline our plans to support the Scottish economy going forward.”

Alister Jack MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said the UK Government had done all it could to support jobs and businesses across Scotland since the start of the crisis.

He said: “Throughout the pandemic, the UK Government has taken quick and decisive action to protect jobs and support businesses, providing more than £280 billion in support including the furlough scheme, business loans and self-employed income support.

“For those looking for work our Plan for Jobs is delivering skills development and creating new jobs through Kickstart for young people, sector work programmes and recruitment of thousands of work coaches.

“This direct support is on top of £8.6bn additional funding given to the Scottish Government.

“We are also looking ahead to a way out of the pandemic, securing and paying for vaccines and taking steps to kickstart economic recovery and create new jobs.

“In Scotland this includes city and region growth deals, Freeports, a new Shared Prosperity Fund and investing in our broadband, research and defence sectors.”

The SNP has called for Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the furlough scheme again, and fill in the gaps in support for more than three million people who have been unable to claim and financial help since the start of the pandemic.

Alison Thewliss MP, the party’s

These figures still do not reflect the full impact of coronavirus or outlook for employment

shadow chancellor, said the rise in UK unemployment had to act as a “wake up call”.

She said: “The Chancellor must not repeat the same mistakes all over again. It is crucial that he moves quickly to plug the gaps in support and extend the furlough scheme to prevent a cliff edge.

“The long-term damage of a hard Brexit will make the Tory unemployment crisis even worse – so it is crucial that the UK Government introduces a major fiscal stimulus of at least £98bn, on a par with other countries, to protect jobs, boost incomes and support our public services.”

Labour’s shadow work and pensions secretary, Jonathan Reynolds MP, hit out at the Westminster Government’s Kickstart scheme, which cost £2bn but has only helped around 2,000 people in to work so far.