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| Rise in Scots claiming benefit | Rise in Scots claiming benefit |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in Scotland has risen by 43,600 over the past year. | The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in Scotland has risen by 43,600 over the past year. |
| Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures revealed 112,600 people were claiming benefit in February, a monthly rise of 8,900. | Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures revealed 112,600 people were claiming benefit in February, a monthly rise of 8,900. |
| In the three months to January, unemployment in Scotland was 135,000, up 3,000 over the year. | In the three months to January, unemployment in Scotland was 135,000, up 3,000 over the year. |
| The number of people out of work across the UK has risen to 2.03 million, the highest total since 1997. | The number of people out of work across the UK has risen to 2.03 million, the highest total since 1997. |
| Commenting on the figures, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: "These are bad figures and a real blow to the families affected. | Commenting on the figures, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: "These are bad figures and a real blow to the families affected. |
| "We will do whatever it takes to support the newly unemployed to stop them becoming the long term unemployed." Our labour market continues to substantially outperform the rest of the UK First Minister Alex Salmond | "We will do whatever it takes to support the newly unemployed to stop them becoming the long term unemployed." Our labour market continues to substantially outperform the rest of the UK First Minister Alex Salmond |
| The Scottish unemployment rate remains lower than the UK average, which now stands at 6.5%. | The Scottish unemployment rate remains lower than the UK average, which now stands at 6.5%. |
| The figures were published as First Minister Alex Salmond addressed the national economic forum in Edinburgh, a gathering of business, trade union, local government and voluntary sector figures. | The figures were published as First Minister Alex Salmond addressed the national economic forum in Edinburgh, a gathering of business, trade union, local government and voluntary sector figures. |
| Mr Salmond said: "Today's unemployment figures show that our labour market continues to substantially outperform the rest of the UK. | Mr Salmond said: "Today's unemployment figures show that our labour market continues to substantially outperform the rest of the UK. |
| "Unemployment in Scotland rose by 3,000 over the year, compared with a UK-wide increase of 421,000. | "Unemployment in Scotland rose by 3,000 over the year, compared with a UK-wide increase of 421,000. |
| "Nonetheless there can be no doubt that Scotland is suffering the effects of global economic downturn and that is why we are doing everything in our powers to support jobs through the economic recovery programme." | "Nonetheless there can be no doubt that Scotland is suffering the effects of global economic downturn and that is why we are doing everything in our powers to support jobs through the economic recovery programme." |
| Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), said there was no room for complacency. | Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), said there was no room for complacency. |
| "The STUC believes that strong action is required at Scottish, UK and G20 level to address the deteriorating economy and labour market," he said. | "The STUC believes that strong action is required at Scottish, UK and G20 level to address the deteriorating economy and labour market," he said. |
| "The Scottish Government must redouble its efforts to ensure that there is a comprehensive package of support available to assist the unemployed and those at risk of redundancy. | "The Scottish Government must redouble its efforts to ensure that there is a comprehensive package of support available to assist the unemployed and those at risk of redundancy. |
| "This should include targeted, short-term wage subsidies and training support." | "This should include targeted, short-term wage subsidies and training support." |
| The jobless total is the ILO measure of average unemployment for the three months to January. The 135,000 figure was 1,000 higher than the equivalent figure for the three months to October 2008. | |
| Statistics have also been released for the number of people employed in the public sector in Scotland. | |
| In the final quarter of 2008, there were 579,300 public sector employees, an increase of 1,200 compared to the same period in 2007. | In the final quarter of 2008, there were 579,300 public sector employees, an increase of 1,200 compared to the same period in 2007. |
| Public workers represented 22.9% of the total Scottish workforce. | Public workers represented 22.9% of the total Scottish workforce. |