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Scottish jobless total falls again Scottish jobless total falls again
(31 minutes later)
Unemployment in Scotland has remained below 200,000 for the second time in a row after a further fall in the total. Unemployment in Scotland has remained below 200,000 for the second time in a row, after a further fall in the total.
The number of jobless fell by 7,000 between January and March to stand at 199,000, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.The number of jobless fell by 7,000 between January and March to stand at 199,000, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
The Scottish unemployment rate is 7.3%, which is below the average of 7.8% for the UK as a whole. The fall contrasted with figures for the UK as a whole, which saw unemployment rise by 15,000 to 2.52 million.
The Scottish jobless rate is now 7.3%, which is below the UK average of 7.8%.
Employment in Scotland rose by 54,000 over the three months to stand at 2,517,000.Employment in Scotland rose by 54,000 over the three months to stand at 2,517,000.
The Scottish government said it was the largest quarterly increase in employment on record.The Scottish government said it was the largest quarterly increase in employment on record.
The number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) increased by 100 from March to reach 136,800.The number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) increased by 100 from March to reach 136,800.
In the UK as a whole, unemployment increased by 15,000 between January and March to 2.52 million.
'Measures working''Measures working'
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said the latest labour market figures for Scotland were "another welcome step in the right direction".Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said the latest labour market figures for Scotland were "another welcome step in the right direction".
"This shows that the measures we are taking on the economy are working," he commented."This shows that the measures we are taking on the economy are working," he commented.
"However, there is still a long way to go and unemployment remains a huge concern for families and individuals in Scotland."However, there is still a long way to go and unemployment remains a huge concern for families and individuals in Scotland.
"It is therefore important that we maintain our economic strategy, working together with all partners to ensure that unemployment continues to fall.""It is therefore important that we maintain our economic strategy, working together with all partners to ensure that unemployment continues to fall."
Welcoming the figures, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Scotland is outperforming the UK with a higher employment rate and lower unemployment rate.Welcoming the figures, First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Scotland is outperforming the UK with a higher employment rate and lower unemployment rate.
"And our youth employment rate is continuing to make encouraging progress, with more young people in work and youth unemployment falling again.""And our youth employment rate is continuing to make encouraging progress, with more young people in work and youth unemployment falling again."
He added: "The Scottish government, our agencies and employers across Scotland have set a clear course for recovery. 'Clear course'
Mr Salmond added: "The Scottish government, our agencies and employers across Scotland have set a clear course for recovery.
"We are working hard to get people back into work and to create opportunities for our young people.""We are working hard to get people back into work and to create opportunities for our young people."
CBI Scotland senior policy executive Lauren Paterson said the figures were "very welcome indeed".
She added: "Despite the challenging economic times, the Scottish labour market is showing resilience, with jobs being created and fewer people unemployed.
"The latter figure especially indicates that the private sector is gradually regaining the confidence to hire, and all parties must do their utmost to ensure that this trend continues."