Unemployment has fallen north of the border

The number of people out of work north of the border fell by 11,000 to 139,000 between April and June this year.

Scotland Office statistics show there are 51,000 more people in employment than a year ago.

There was also a fall in the UK unemployed number - taking it to its lowest level since the second quarter of 2001.

Scotland Office Minister Anne McGuire said the latest fall suggested government policies were working.

'Real difference'

She said: "Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s and continues to fall while employment is at a record high.

"The partnership between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive is delivering results where it counts, making a real difference to people lives."

The unemployment rate in Scotland now stands at 5.5%, down by 0.5%, according to the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

The number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance has fallen by 1,600 during 2003.

The number of people employed in April-June 2003 was 2,403,000 - an increase of 13,000 on the previous three months.

The Scottish leader of the Amicus union, John Quigley, said: "While the reduction in overall unemployment is very welcome there appears to be a growing crisis in manufacturing.