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| Scottish unemployment falls by 13,000 | Scottish unemployment falls by 13,000 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Scotland's jobless total fell by 13,000 to 206,000 between October and December, according to official figures. | Scotland's jobless total fell by 13,000 to 206,000 between October and December, according to official figures. |
| The number of people in jobs also fell by 11,000 over the same period. | The number of people in jobs also fell by 11,000 over the same period. |
| The total number of employed in Scotland now stands at 2,461,000. | The total number of employed in Scotland now stands at 2,461,000. |
| Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed that the Scottish unemployment rate was 7.7%, slightly below the average of 7.8% for the whole of the UK. | Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed that the Scottish unemployment rate was 7.7%, slightly below the average of 7.8% for the whole of the UK. |
| UK unemployment fell by a total of 14,000 to 2.5 million. | UK unemployment fell by a total of 14,000 to 2.5 million. |
| Meanwhile, the number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance in Scotland fell by 600 from December to 137,000 in January. | |
| The level is down by 5,200 on January 2012. | The level is down by 5,200 on January 2012. |
| The ONS figures also showed that youth unemployment in Scotland fell by 28,000, or 5.9%, over the last year. | The ONS figures also showed that youth unemployment in Scotland fell by 28,000, or 5.9%, over the last year. |
| Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "The government continues to work hard to reduce unemployment by laying the foundations for a stronger, more balanced economy." | Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "The government continues to work hard to reduce unemployment by laying the foundations for a stronger, more balanced economy." |
| Unemployment falls, and so does the number of people in work. How does that happen? Simple. The size of the workforce declines. Except, of course, it's not at all simple. | |
| There's much head-scratching about job figures for the year-end that look much more positive than other economic indicators. | |
| Looking back at official job figures over 2012, the positive Scottish news is that the fall of 25,000 in the number seeking work was a proportionately bigger dip than the 131,000 fall for England. It was the biggest fall after London and north-west England. | |
| But the oddest thing about Scotland, when compared with the rest of the UK, was that rise in economic inactivity - that is, people who are questioned for the regular jobs survey and who say they're neither working nor looking for work. | |
| The number was up 27,000, while in England, it fell 324,000. The number of Scots in work rose by only 2,000, while in England, the number in work rose by 584,000. | |
| The figures suggest England is seeing jobs created on an astonishing scale, given the state of the economy, but that's not being matched in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. | |
| Finance Secretary John Swinney said it was the third set of monthly unemployment figures in a row that had shown a fall. | Finance Secretary John Swinney said it was the third set of monthly unemployment figures in a row that had shown a fall. |
| He added: "But we must not be complacent - too many people are still looking for work, and the Scottish government is taking action to address this by maintaining the most competitive business environment anywhere in the UK and investing in our infrastructure." | He added: "But we must not be complacent - too many people are still looking for work, and the Scottish government is taking action to address this by maintaining the most competitive business environment anywhere in the UK and investing in our infrastructure." |
| The Scottish Chambers of Commerce welcomed the latest data. | The Scottish Chambers of Commerce welcomed the latest data. |
| Chief executive Liz Cameron said: "It is good news that unemployment in Scotland has continued its downward trend, and it is particularly important to note that youth employment fell by 28,000 over the course of last year. | Chief executive Liz Cameron said: "It is good news that unemployment in Scotland has continued its downward trend, and it is particularly important to note that youth employment fell by 28,000 over the course of last year. |
| "This has undoubtedly been assisted by the focus on youth employment that has been evident on the part of the Scottish government in 2012, and Chambers of Commerce across Scotland have also sprung into action to help tackle high levels of youth unemployment." | "This has undoubtedly been assisted by the focus on youth employment that has been evident on the part of the Scottish government in 2012, and Chambers of Commerce across Scotland have also sprung into action to help tackle high levels of youth unemployment." |
| Jobs website totaljobs.com said the latest figures were a reflection of a healthy labour market in Scotland, with recent investment from the IT, engineering and oil and gas industries. | Jobs website totaljobs.com said the latest figures were a reflection of a healthy labour market in Scotland, with recent investment from the IT, engineering and oil and gas industries. |
| Regional manager Steve Clark added: "However, this is balanced with bad news on the high-street as retail giants HMV, Jessops, Blockbuster and Republic fall into administration. | Regional manager Steve Clark added: "However, this is balanced with bad news on the high-street as retail giants HMV, Jessops, Blockbuster and Republic fall into administration. |
| "The shop closures have left city centres looking sparse and unwelcoming which will have a detrimental impact on traditional retail, as more shoppers will choose to buy online." | "The shop closures have left city centres looking sparse and unwelcoming which will have a detrimental impact on traditional retail, as more shoppers will choose to buy online." |