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Scottish unemployment rises again | Scottish unemployment rises again |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Unemployment in Scotland has risen by 8,000 over the last year, taking the total out of work to 137,000. | Unemployment in Scotland has risen by 8,000 over the last year, taking the total out of work to 137,000. |
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show the number of those out of work across the UK has also risen to 1.97 million. | |
For the three months to December, unemployment in Scotland stood at 137,000, a rise of 11,000. | |
The number of people out of work and claiming benefit increased by 3,400 in January to just over 101,000. | The number of people out of work and claiming benefit increased by 3,400 in January to just over 101,000. |
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said the figures were "disappointing" but added that the UK Government would do all it could to help people find new work. No-one can doubt the seriousness of the current economic situation Jim MatherScottish Enterprise Minister He said: "There is no doubt we are facing a real challenge in employment as a result of the downturn. | Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said the figures were "disappointing" but added that the UK Government would do all it could to help people find new work. No-one can doubt the seriousness of the current economic situation Jim MatherScottish Enterprise Minister He said: "There is no doubt we are facing a real challenge in employment as a result of the downturn. |
"Government is doing all it can and we are determined not to leave anyone behind. | "Government is doing all it can and we are determined not to leave anyone behind. |
"My priority is to prevent the newly unemployed becoming the long-term unemployed. | "My priority is to prevent the newly unemployed becoming the long-term unemployed. |
"These are disappointing figures, but we must always remember they represent real people - hard-working Scots who may have lost their jobs or whose businesses are struggling as a result of the global downturn. | "These are disappointing figures, but we must always remember they represent real people - hard-working Scots who may have lost their jobs or whose businesses are struggling as a result of the global downturn. |
"We will continue to do all we can to prevent the newly unemployed slipping into the long-term unemployment that has scarred communities in the past." | "We will continue to do all we can to prevent the newly unemployed slipping into the long-term unemployment that has scarred communities in the past." |
Across the UK, unemployment increased by 146,000 between October and December to 1.97 million - the highest level since 1997. | Across the UK, unemployment increased by 146,000 between October and December to 1.97 million - the highest level since 1997. |
'Tougher constraints' | 'Tougher constraints' |
Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "While today's statistics show no-one can doubt the seriousness of the current economic situation, we are maintaining in Scotland a higher employment rate, lower unemployment rate and higher economic activity rate than the UK average. | Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "While today's statistics show no-one can doubt the seriousness of the current economic situation, we are maintaining in Scotland a higher employment rate, lower unemployment rate and higher economic activity rate than the UK average. |
"To guide Scotland through the downturn and maximise our potential for recovery, the Scottish Government is doing everything within our powers to keep the economy moving." | "To guide Scotland through the downturn and maximise our potential for recovery, the Scottish Government is doing everything within our powers to keep the economy moving." |
Iain Ferguson, from CBI Scotland, said: "Many Scottish businesses are having to combat weakening demand and tougher constraints on accessing finance, and this is likely to push unemployment even higher in the coming months. | Iain Ferguson, from CBI Scotland, said: "Many Scottish businesses are having to combat weakening demand and tougher constraints on accessing finance, and this is likely to push unemployment even higher in the coming months. |
"There are some powerful forces for stability in the economy which are coming together and which should help later in the year, particularly falling inflation, lower interest rates, and a more competitive exchange rate. | "There are some powerful forces for stability in the economy which are coming together and which should help later in the year, particularly falling inflation, lower interest rates, and a more competitive exchange rate. |
"However, the best way of maintaining jobs is to keep viable firms in business. | "However, the best way of maintaining jobs is to keep viable firms in business. |
"This requires a speedier implementation of efforts to get credit flowing again, coupled with help to ensure a wider availability of trade credit insurance so that firms can feel confident about doing business with one another." | "This requires a speedier implementation of efforts to get credit flowing again, coupled with help to ensure a wider availability of trade credit insurance so that firms can feel confident about doing business with one another." |