The number of people employed in the public sector in Scotland has fallen by just over 1 per cent in the last year.

The latest statistics from the Scottish Government show that, in quarter two of 2007, there were 578,600 people employed in the public sector and 1,958,200 people employed in the private sector in Scotland.

Public sector employment has increased by 51,200, 9.7 per cent, since the second quarter in 1999 but, but decreased by 6,500, or 1.1 per cent, since the second quarter of 2006.

The public sector currently accounts for 22.8 per cent of employment in Scotland, a figure which has decreased from 23.1 per cent in the second quarter of 1999 and from 23.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2006.

The majority of public sector employment in Scotland is in local government, which, including police and fire and related services accounts for 54.9 per cent. The NHS accounts for more than a quarter, 26.6 per cent, while the civil service employs 8.7 per cent of those in the public sector, public corporations 4.4 per cent, Non Departmental Public Bodies 2.5 per cent and the Armed Forces 2.3 per cent.

Related news items:

• 'Blueprint' for building Scotland's future
• 55 per cent haven't seen bank manager for ten years
• Aberdeen businesses revolt over Lib Dem Trump stance
• Abertay game reaches Xbox
• Anger grows at bank charge companies