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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scottish unemployment rises again | Scottish unemployment rises again |
| (about 3 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. | 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. | 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. | |
| 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. No-one can doubt the seriousness of the current economic situation Jim MatherScottish Enterprise Minister | |
| "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. |
| 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." |
| 'Tougher constraints' | |
| 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." |
| Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "This further rise in Scottish unemployment underlines that 2009 is going to be a difficult year for businesses and their staff. | |
| "It is therefore important that the government acts to reduce the costs of employment and works with businesses to help retain key workers and skills in Scotland." | |
| She called for the chancellor to implement a holiday for employers' national insurance contributions which she said would cut the costs of employment. |