This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-29618052

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Scotland's jobless total falls by 40,000 Scotland's jobless total falls by record 40,000
(35 minutes later)
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 40,000 between June and August to stand at 151,000, according to official figures.Unemployment in Scotland fell by 40,000 between June and August to stand at 151,000, according to official figures.
It was the biggest quarterly fall in Scottish unemployment since records began.It was the biggest quarterly fall in Scottish unemployment since records began.
The Scottish jobless rate is now 5.5%, which is below the rate of 6% for the whole of the UK.The Scottish jobless rate is now 5.5%, which is below the rate of 6% for the whole of the UK.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed employment increased by 35,000 to stand at 2,611,000.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed employment increased by 35,000 to stand at 2,611,000.
UK unemployment fell by 154,000 in the quarter to August to just under two million.UK unemployment fell by 154,000 in the quarter to August to just under two million.
The number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance in Scotland rose slightly by 300 from August to 91,100 in September. The figure is down by 30,500 on a year ago. The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Scotland rose slightly by 300 from August to 91,100 in September. The figure is down by 30,500 on a year ago.
Meanwhile, separate figures showed that the Scottish economy expanded by 0.9% during the second quarter of 2014, and grew by 2.6% on an annual basis.Meanwhile, separate figures showed that the Scottish economy expanded by 0.9% during the second quarter of 2014, and grew by 2.6% on an annual basis.
'Very welcome news''Very welcome news'
The UK government's Scottish Secretary, Alistair Carmichael, said the two sets of figures showed that Scotland was "moving in the right direction." The UK government's Scottish Secretary, Alistair Carmichael, said the two sets of figures showed that Scotland was "moving in the right direction".
He added: "The biggest quarterly fall in Scottish unemployment since records began and confirmation that Scotland's economy has now grown for two consecutive years is very welcome news.He added: "The biggest quarterly fall in Scottish unemployment since records began and confirmation that Scotland's economy has now grown for two consecutive years is very welcome news.
"This year we have seen new record high levels of employment and today marks another record high, with more Scottish women in employment than ever before."This year we have seen new record high levels of employment and today marks another record high, with more Scottish women in employment than ever before.
"Challenges remain as the rise in the number of Scots claiming Jobseeker's Allowance shows. "Challenges remain, as the rise in the number of Scots claiming Jobseeker's Allowance shows."
"This, however, comes off 18 consecutive months where the number has fallen and there are 30,500 less Scots claiming Jobseeker's Allowance than one year ago." Scottish Youth and Women's Employment Secretary Angela Constance also welcomed the figures.
She said: "Today's figures are excellent news for the Scottish economy and show that we are continuing to make progress in our efforts to tackle unemployment.
"We now have the highest jobs figures in history, the highest female employment in history, the lowest level of unemployment since the end of 2008, lower unemployment than the rest of the UK and higher employment and lower inactivity.
"And I am particularly pleased to see female employment in Scotland reaching a record high."