Fewer Scots Out Of Work Say New Figures

The number of Scots out of work has fallen further, with new figures showing the unemployment rate falling 1.7% over the year to 4.4% - lower than in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Scotland’s unemployment rate is lower than the rate for the UK as a whole. The figures, for January to March 2017, also show that the Scottish employment rate rose by 0.9% over the year to 74%.

Commenting, SNP candidate for Airdrie and Shotts Neil Gray said:“These are highly encouraging figures that show the SNP’s focus on jobs is paying off. We'll continue to work hard to make Scotland the best country it can be.“But with the Tories preparing to inflict yet more austerity and risk tens of thousands of Scottish jobs through their plans for a damaging Brexit deal, there’s no room for complacency.“We’ll always welcome falling unemployment and rising employment – but many working families are being hammered by Tory cuts to working tax credits and the biggest squeeze on wages since the Second World War."