Unemployment in Scotland down by 12,000, official figures show

The number of people unemployed in Scotland has fallen by 12,000, figures show.

Data for July to September 2018 indicates unemployment decreased to 103,000 over the quarter, taking the jobless rate to 3.8%.

Unemployment fell for both men and women, with the male jobless total going from 66,000 to 63,000 and the number of women out of work decreasing by 9,000 to 40,000.

The fall in the jobless total in Scotland stands in contrast with the situation across the UK, with unemployment rising by 21,000 to 1.38 million in the three months to September – a rate of 4.1%.

The Office for National Statistics figures also show the number of people in Scotland who were in work fell by 6,000 to stand at 2,636,000.

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said the unemployment rate was “the joint lowest level on record” but there would be no complacency, with work continuing to find a future for the Michelin plant in Dundee, which employees more than 800 people.

Mr Hepburn said: “Although overall employment fell very slightly over the quarter and the year, on employment for women and young people we continue to outperform the UK with an employment rate of 71.2% for women, higher than the UK rate of 71.0%, and an employment rate for young people of 59.1%, higher than the UK rate of 55.7%.

“Compared to the UK, we also have lower rates of unemployment for both women and young people.

“Whilst the situation in Dundee with Michelin remains a concern, the Scottish Government will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to find a viable and sustainable future for the plant and its highly skilled workforce.

“We will also continue to urge the UK Government to commit to remaining in the EU single market and customs union to protect jobs and investment in Scotland, if remaining in the EU is not an option.”

The latest figures also showed the inactivity rate, which takes in students, sick and retired people aged between 16 and 64, stood at 750,000, up 19,000 from the previous quarter.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “I welcome the news that fewer people in Scotland are unemployed. However, there is no room for complacency.

“I’m concerned that economic activity in Scotland is falling and that our inactivity rate is above that for the UK.

“The Scottish Government needs to focus on using its extensive powers and work with us on ensuring that Scotland’s economy thrives.”

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “While any fall in unemployment is welcome, the drop in employment once again points to the structural weaknesses in Scotland’s economy.

“It is extremely disappointing to note that inactivity rates have increased.

“It is now clear that output, employment and productivity in Scotland under the SNP has flatlined, leading to stagnating growth.”

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