Scottish jobless figures improve

[Graham]

Scottish jobless figures improve

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-14907090
Unemployment in Scotland has fallen slightly, according to the latest official statistics.

The number of people seeking work fell by 3,000 to 204,000 between May and July and by 33,000 over the year.

The Scottish unemployment rate now stands at 7.5%, below the UK average of 7.9%.

Employment also increased by 23,000 over the three-month period - and by 36,000 over the year - to stand at 2,496,000.

However, the number of Scots claiming Jobseekers Allowance last month rose by 1,200 to reach 145,700.

The level is up by 9,700 on August 2010.

Scotland was the only part of the UK to register falling unemployment over the past quarter.

In the UK as a whole, the jobless total rose by 80,000 to 2.51 million in the three months to July.

This was the largest increase in nearly two years, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Youth unemployment

There was also a sharp rise in youth unemployment in the UK, which leapt from 78,000 to 973,000.

In Scotland, the number of people aged between 18 and 24 claiming unemployment benefit for six months or more rose by 1,300 between July and August to reach 11,500.

Public sector employment in Scotland fell by 25,200 in the year to the second quarter of 2011, while 57,700 more people found jobs in the private sector over the same period.

Responding to the latest data, First Minister Alex Salmond said it was encouraging to see Scotland's labour market continuing to improve.

He continued: "Among all the nations and regions of the UK, Scotland was the only place with falling unemployment over the quarter, and we also have the largest decline in the unemployment rate over the year.

"Indeed, the rise in Scottish employment over the year of 36,000 encompasses the entire UK-wide figure of 24,000.

He added: "We are building jobs and recovery in Scotland, and the UK Government must implement a Plan B if our recovery is not to be derailed."

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said the reduction in unemployment was welcome news, given the ongoing difficulties in the global economy.

He said: "Despite the difficult finances that this government has inherited, we are taking the decisions that create jobs and opportunities in the long-term.

"Our macroeconomic policy includes major measures to boost growth, with the creation of the most competitive business tax system in the developed world as we cut corporation tax progressively to the lowest rate in the G7."

He added: "In addition, the UK government has boosted tax relief for start-up companies and seen lending to businesses broadly on target through Project Merlin."

'No complacency'

Scottish Labour's finance spokesman Richard Baker commented: "We welcome the increase in employment and fall in unemployment.

"But with the number of Scots on the dole increasing to its highest level in 13 years and youth unemployment soaring to its highest rate in over a decade, there can be no complacency from the SNP government."

He added: "Too many of these statistics represent wasted talent and wasted opportunity in Scotland.

"Not since the dark days of the last Tory government has youth unemployment been so high. This demands an increased response from the SNP government."

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce welcomed the latest data.

Chief executive Liz Cameron said: "It is good news for Scotland that our unemployment levels are now back on a downward path and that the Scottish rate of unemployment is now significantly below the UK average.

"Despite the fact that the claimant count has been on an upward trend for four months now, the fact that the overall rate of employment is rising seems to indicate that many people who have lost their jobs may be getting back into employment relatively quickly."


Regional changes in unemployment

North East +18,000
North West +5,000
Yorkshire/Humber +6,000
East Midlands +11,000
West Midlands +4,000
East unchanged
London +26,000
South East +1,000
South West +2,000
Wales +7,000
Scotland -3,000
N Ireland +3,000



Good news up here I suppose in some areas, hopefully unemployment keeps on going that way.

[Logan]

Perspective.:cool:

Unemployment Rates for States
Monthly Rankings
Seasonally Adjusted
Aug. 2011p

(Lowest Ten)

Rank/State/Rate

1. NORTH DAKOTA 3.5%

2. NEBRASKA 4.2%

3. SOUTH DAKOTA 4.7%

4. NEW HAMPSHIRE 5.3%

5. OKLAHOMA 5.6%

6. WYOMING 5.8%

7. VERMONT 5.9%

8. IOWA 6.1%

9. HAWAII 6.2%

10. VIRGINIA 6.3%

US unemployment rate stable at 9.7%

[Graham]

Spoil sport :P ^^



Some of the main findings from Quarter 2 2011 are:


In Q2 2011, there were 595,200 people employed in the public sector in Scotland, a decrease of 25,200 (4.1 per cent) since Q2 2010

Total public sector employment currently accounts for 23.9 per cent of total employment in Scotland. This has decreased from 25.3 per cent in Q2 2010 and increased from 23.8 per cent in Q2 1999 (In 1999 the banking sector was not included in the public sector)

Of the total 595,200 people employed in the public sector, 496,100 (83.3 per cent) work in public bodies devolved to Scotland. The remaining 99,100 per cent (16.7 per cent) work in public bodies which are the responsibility of the UK Government

Over the year to Q2 2011, employment in public bodies devolved to Scotland has decreased by 19,700 (3.8 per cent)

During the same time employment in public bodies which are the responsibility of the UK Government has decreased by 5,500 (5.2 per cent)




With the Public sector falling yearly. Being replaced with jobs in the private sector. Hopefully we'll see a more efficiant Scotland in time for the independence referendum.




Scottish budget: 'Radical' public service reform on way
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-14958912?print=true

The Scottish government has promised "radical" reform to public services, amid claims its budget will be cut by more than £3bn in the coming years.

The pledge by Finance Secretary John Swinney came as he prepares to set out the SNP's first budget since its landslide election win, in May.

Ministers say they will put economic growth at the heart of their plans.

Mr Swinney said he would "squeeze every penny out of every pound" for projects like transport and housing.

And, amid the tough spending squeeze, he expects public services to work together to make even greater efficiency savings.

In the face of UK government deficit-reducing spending cuts, Holyrood ministers said their budget would shrink by £3.3bn - or 11% below the 2010-11 level - in the next three years, while the capital budget, which pays for infrastructure projects like roads and schools, would drop by 36%.

Ahead of his budget statement to parliament on Wednesday, Mr Swinney said: "The spending review will make investing in measures to increase sustainable economic growth a priority. We will invest in people, in places and in giving people new opportunities.

"In our capital programme, we will squeeze every penny out of every pound to inject the biggest possible stimulus into the economy from our investment in new infrastructure such as transport and housing projects.

"The spending review will also implement a radical approach to public sector reform aimed at providing the best public services and to putting Scotland's long-term interests at the heart of our approach to government."

Mr Swinney added: "Through our spending plans, we will work to support greater collaboration across the whole range of public services to deliver better outcomes for people, at lower cost.

"We will accelerate our improvement agenda, speed up cycles of innovation and intensify our focus on value for money."

The Scottish government has already announced its intention to move towards a single police force, as well as a national fire and rescue service.

Mr Swinney said SNP policies had seen Scottish employment increase by 36,000 in the past year using Holyrood's existing powers, but added that only independence would best maximise Scotland's potential.

Now in majority, rather than minority, government, the SNP no longer has to barter with opposition parties to implement their policies in return for votes.

MSPs are expected to vote on the budget plans for 2012-13 in the spring.