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Minister welcomes employment data
16 Jan 2008
The Government has welcomed a drop in unemployment despite news the economy faces a "challenging period".
The traditional method of calculating unemployment, the number claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, showed a small drop in those who were out of work and claiming benefits in Scotland.
This fell by 400 in the month of December to 71,600 - 13,200 less than the total for December 2006.
The Scottish unemployment rate currently stands at 4.9%, a rise of 0.2% from the previous quarter but still lower than the UK average of 5.3%.
However, the jobless total rose under another method of calculation, the International Labour Office method.
This showed that over the three-month period from September to November last year unemployment in Scotland rose by 7,000 to 131,000. This total is 6,000 less than at the same time in the previous year.
Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said the figures "should offer reassurance that the Scottish labour market is entering a challenging period in good health".
He added: "Compared to a year ago employment is up, unemployment is down, with the claimant count at a 33-year low, and the number of Scots in work or looking for work is also up."
Enterprise minister Jim Mather said: "In general, the labour market in Scotland has continued to perform strongly since this Scottish Government came to power.
"However, our view is that despite a relatively strong labour market, the Scottish economy as a whole is underperforming and too many people are economically inactive."
This fell by 400 in the month of December to 71,600 - 13,200 less than the total for December 2006.
The Scottish unemployment rate currently stands at 4.9%, a rise of 0.2% from the previous quarter but still lower than the UK average of 5.3%.
However, the jobless total rose under another method of calculation, the International Labour Office method.
This showed that over the three-month period from September to November last year unemployment in Scotland rose by 7,000 to 131,000. This total is 6,000 less than at the same time in the previous year.
Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said the figures "should offer reassurance that the Scottish labour market is entering a challenging period in good health".
He added: "Compared to a year ago employment is up, unemployment is down, with the claimant count at a 33-year low, and the number of Scots in work or looking for work is also up."
Enterprise minister Jim Mather said: "In general, the labour market in Scotland has continued to perform strongly since this Scottish Government came to power.
"However, our view is that despite a relatively strong labour market, the Scottish economy as a whole is underperforming and too many people are economically inactive."