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Employment statistics
14/10/2009
Latest figures published today by the Office of National Statistics show that unemployment in Scotland rose by 13,000 over the three months to August while the claimant count rose by 300 on the month.
Commenting, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said:
"Combating the personal, social and economic cost of rising unemployment is the purpose of our comprehensive recovery plan - which is supporting 15,000 jobs, and helping people get back into work.
"And it is contributing to Scotland continuing to have higher employment, lower unemployment and higher rates of economic activity than the UK as a whole.
"There may have been some positive indications on the economy, but these figures demonstrate that there can be absolutely no grounds for complacency.
"Our draft budget for 2010-11 delivers yet more support for employment and will boost recovery, despite Scotland's budget falling in real terms for the first time since devolution. This year we accelerated major infrastructure investment and we want the flexibility to be able to continue to accelerate spending into 2010-11. We are urging the Chancellor to use his Pre-Budget Report to allow us to do just that and help us continue to support thousands of jobs in Scotland."
Today also sees the first new statistical publication, Work and Worklessness among Households in Scotland 2009. It gives information on the economic activity of working age households in Scotland and in council areas.
Jim Mather continued:
"This new publication brings into sharp relief the impact of unemployment on individuals. Last year, over one in six households had no working adult and almost one in seven children lived in a workless household. This Government will continue to do all we can to create the right conditions for economic growth and deliver the wealthier and fairer society that Scotland deserves - with the growing realisation that we can do more with the full economic and financial responsibilities that come with independence."