25,000 More Scots in Work Welcomed. Unemployment at An All Time Low In Scotland

Jobs figures published today showing that unemployment is at a record low in Scotland and substantially lower than the UK average have been welcomed by the SNP.

Over the quarter of March to May 2017, the unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%. Meanwhile the employment rate went up to 74.1% and the inactivity rate fell to 22.9%.

Employment rose by 25,000 over the previous quarter.

Over the year, the youth unemployment rate decreased to 8.4%, the third lowest rate in the EU and youth employment increased to 57.7%. 

Kirsty Blackman MP, the SNP’s Economy spokesperson and Depute leader in Westminster said: 

“Today’s jobs figures are greatly encouraging and show that Scotland’s economy is performing well.

“With unemployment in Scotland at a record low, substantially lower than the UK average, and employment increasing – we have good reason to be optimistic.

“These latest labour market statistics figures - coupled with the fact that Scotland’s economy grew by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2017, the highest rate of quarterly growth in Scotland since the end of 2014 and four times higher than the UK - are a positive reflection of the SNP Scottish Government’s investment in our future.”