Scottish unemployment fell by 1,000 over a three month period as Dundee saw the country’s biggest fall in jobseekers, according to official figures.
Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows employment also increased by 13,000 in the period April to June, taking the number of people in work in Scotland to its highest level in more than four years.
Scotland has a higher employment rate and lower unemployment rate than any other nation in the UK, the statistics revealed. Youth unemployment in Scotland also decreased to 19.1%.
The number of jobseekers’ claims universally fell across Tayside, Fife and Central Scotland (see table) but Dundee showed the biggest improvement, falling by 0.7%. However, the city still has the second highest proportion of people claiming unemployment benefit, at 5.7%.
Scotland’s Finance Secretary, John Swinney, said: “Not only is the unemployment rate lower than this time last year, but the number of people claiming job seekers allowance has fallen to its lowest level since June 2009. Our youth employment rate is also surpassing that of the UK.”
However, Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, attributed the success to strength within the UK.
He said: “We are seeing some positive signs in our economy’s recovery but it is important we keep focusing on creating the best conditions for growth and jobs.”
Scottish Labour’s finance spokesman, Iain Gray, said: “Wages have fallen in real terms for 42 months, unemployment for Scots women continues to get worse, long-term youth unemployment is 300% higher than only two years ago.”
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Gavin Brown said: “Clearly there’s still a long way to go and it’s critical that everyone retains their focus to ensure both the unemployment and employment figures continue on the right path.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie added: “This shows that Scotland is sharing in the growth of one million private sector jobs which Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government have helped businesses to create since 2010.”
Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron said: “This is the latest of a wide range of indicators that is pointing towards evidence of a more broadly based economic recovery in Scotland.”
CBI Scotland senior policy executive Lauren Paterson said: “Too many still face the reality of being out of work and we would encourage the Scottish Government to use next month’s budget to support the recovery, by keeping business taxes down, investing more in infrastructure and skills and encouraging more air links to overseas business destinations.”
Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, said: “The Tories are banking on the electorate not holding them to account for aborting the recovery they inherited from Alistair Darling and for crashing the real value of wages and living standards by 5.5% since the election.”
Bill Stevenson, Scotland director of the Boys’ Brigade, said: “While we all know it is still tough in the jobs market, this glimmer of hope will make a huge difference to our young people.”