Gordon Banks pleased at fall in unemployment figure

3 March 2008

Local MP Gordon Banks has spoken of his delight at new Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures which show a monthly fall in the claimant count for Jobseeker’s Allowance to the lowest rate in Scotland since December 1974. The claimant count measure (those people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)) fell by 2,100 over the month, and 12,300 over the year to stand at 69,100 for January 2008, the lowest level in over 33 years.  The claimant count rate is equal to the historical low of 2.5 per cent. The Scottish employment rate is unchanged and continues to be above that of the UK and almost all countries within the EU.
Commenting on the figures, the Ochil & South Perthshire MP said :
“These figures show that the Scottish labour market is reassuringly stable and comes at a time when there are widespread of a global economic slowdown. Scotland seems well placed to buck the trend and that is down to, in large part, the strong foundations laid down by the UK Government through handling of the economy over the last ten years.”
“Employment and economic activity levels are up and unemployment levels are down therefore more Scots, and their families, are seeing the benefits that come with work.”
”In Ochil & South Perthshire, since 2005, 400 less people are claiming Jobseekers Allowance and those aged 25 who have been claiming for over two years has halved.”
“In Ochil & South Perthshire the here are 1,000 more people aged 16 or over in employment since 2005 and over three quarters of those able to work do so. The UK Government is determined to keep working to maintain this progress, thereby delivering on the issues that really matter to the people of Scotland.