Scottish unemployment below 100,000 for the first time ever

The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed the number of people seeking work fell to 99,000 between September and November last year.

The figure means Scotland’s jobless rate is now 3.6 per cent, a record low, with more than three quarters of working age Scots now in a job.

The UK unemployment rate is 4.0 per cent, its lowest point since 1975.

Scottish Business Minister Jamie Hepburn, said: “Despite the huge and continued challenges of Brexit, the Scottish economy remains resilient and our jobs market is strengthening.

“Scotland’s unemployment rate reached a record low again this month, down to 3.6 per cent, lower than the UK rate of 4.0 per cent. The number of people unemployed in Scotland has now fallen below 100,000 for the first time on record.

“Employment for women and young people in particular continues to be impressive in Scotland as we outperform the UK with a rate of 71.5 per cent for women, higher than the UK rate of 71.2 per cent, and 60.7 per cent for young people, higher than the UK rate of 56.0 per cent. Compared to the UK we have significantly lower rates of unemployment for both women and young people.

Liz Cameron OBE, Director and Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “The record level employment rate is a strong indicator of the resilience of the UK and Scottish labour market. With the unemployment rate at its lowest rate on record, these are positive statistics for Scotland.

“Against this backdrop, we are mindful that job vacancies are also rising, with many businesses reporting difficulties in finding and hiring the skills and talent they need. Yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister to scrap the proposed fee for EU nationals to register on the Settled Status Scheme will be welcomed by businesses across Scotland who are worried about the prospect of losing valuable workers from the European Union in a post-Brexit environment. This will provide some certainty to businesses and to individuals who are contributing to our economy and local communities.

“The UK Government must deliver a future immigration system that helps, rather than hinders the ability for businesses to invest, grow and support the economy.”

Meanwhile, the number of people in work in the UK has reached a record high of 32.54 million, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

Unemployment was flat, with a small increase of 8,000 between September and November for a total of 1.37 million.

Average earnings excluding bonuses increased by 3.3 per cent in the year to November, as wage rises continued to outpace inflation.

The number of job vacancies rose by 10,000 to a record high of 853,000.