The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today reported a fall in unemployment levels in Scotland. 

The internationally comparable International Labour Organisation (ILO) measure unemployment in Scotland was down 6,000 over the quarter from January to March 2008 to 124,000.  This represents a fall of 7,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 0.2 percentage points, from the previous quarter to 4.7 per cent per cent, which is down 0.3 points over the year.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland in January - March 2008 was 2,537,000. This is 5,000 higher compared with the previous three months, but down 1,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate amongst those of working age was unchanged over the quarter and down 0.2 percentage over the year, at 76.5 per cent.

Commenting on the ONS figures, Scotland Office minister David Cairns said: “These latest figures are very encouraging. In difficult global economic conditions, a quarterly rise in employment levels and a quarterly fall in unemployment levels are testament to the Government’s consistently responsible macroeconomic policies.

“The strength of the Scottish labour market over recent months and years reflects the fact that we have made economic stability a priority; and today’s publication of the draft Legislative Programme will build on that with measures to promote financial stability, growth and economic resilience across the United Kingdom.”

The claimant count measure, based on those people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, increased by 900 over the month, but fell by 8,900 over the year to stand at 70,100 for April 2008. The claimant count rate is equal to the historical low of 2.5 per cent.

Commenting on figures, CBI Scotland’s Policy Executive, Iain Ferguson said: “The decline in joblessness in Scotland is very encouraging and appears to be bucking the trend when compared to the rest of the UK. This decline has helped maintain Scotland’s position as having a rate which is amongst the lowest of all the UK regions.”

“However, the easing back of the growth rate of the UK economy in the months ahead means there can be no room for complacency.”

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