Scottish unemployment continues to fall as economy continues to grow

For March-May this year, Scotland was the only country of the UK where unemployment fell.

The Office for National Statistics Labour Market data published today for March-May 2015 show Scotland’s overall unemployment rate fell by 0.5 percentage points over the quarter to reach 5.5 per cent. The equivalent figure in the UK rose over the same period to 5.6 per cent.

The figures also show a 6-year low in youth unemployment – which fell 20,000 over the year – and the highest youth employment level since records began for the March-May period in 2002, up to 363,000.

Separate figures, also released today on the Scottish economy, show overall growth, with expansions in the services, production and construction sectors.

The Scottish Government statistics show the economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the first three months of this year – the same growth rate as the last three months of 2014 and slightly above the UK growth rate of 0.4 per cent over the same period.

Minister for Youth and Women’s Employment Annabelle Ewing, said: “These figures show a growing economy and falling unemployment – both extremely encouraging indicators and signs that the economic picture in Scotland is continuing to improve.

“Indeed, Scotland was the only country of the UK where unemployment actually fell over the quarter.

“The 20,000 fall over the year in youth unemployment also means 20,000 more young people are now benefitting from the rewards and opportunities of work – something we are determined to improve on even further.

“Youth employment is one of our highest priorities and we will continue to work with employers and all other interested parties to ensure more of our young men and women get in to work and stay in work.

“These statistics are not just good news for employment but our economy across the board – especially our construction sector.

“Between January and March this year the Scottish economy grew by 0.6 per cent, hot on the heels of a 0.6 per cent expansion in the last three months of 2014 – slightly better than the comparable UK quarter one figure of 0.4 per cent. Compared to the same period last year the Scottish economy has grown 2.8 per cent, very similar to the 2.9 per cent figure UK-wide.

“These figures show very positive signs for our construction sector in particular, which grew by 2.1 per cent over the first three months of the year, and for the production sector – up 0.7 per cent – and the services sector, which grew 0.5 per cent.

“As our economy continues to grow, we will use every power we currently have at our disposal to grow the economy even further, increase employment, lower unemployment and remove barriers to the labour market.”

Also commenting on the new data, Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said the figures confirmed the decisions the UK government were taking were “creating a better, more prosperous future for the whole of the country”.

He added: “Last week’s Budget rewards work, backs aspiration, ensures fairness to taxpayers and gives businesses confidence to invest, to grow and to hire in the months and years ahead.

“The National Living Wage is an essential part of our move to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society.

“Rising to over £9 an hour by 2020, this will outstrip the first minister’s own ambition to have a national minimum wage of £8.70 an hour by 2020.”