Scottish jobless below UK average

The unemployment rate is lower in Scotland than the UK as a whole

Unemployment in Scotland has fallen and is below the UK average, according to the latest figures.

The International Labour Organisation measure was down 4,000 over the last quarter, and by 18,000 over the year.

The number of people in Scotland claiming job seekers' allowance went up by 2,600 in the month of August.

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Des Browne, said the figures reflect the "underlying strength of the Scottish economy".

On the broader measure of unemployment, the rate in Scotland is 4.2% compared to a UK-rate of 5.5%.

Mr Browne called the figures "encouraging".

We will continue to act to make Scotland more competitive, for example through cutting business rates Jim Mather Scottish enterprise minister

He added: "At a time when economies throughout the world are facing challenging conditions, we can take heart from a fall in both quarterly and annual unemployment, reflecting the underlying strength of the Scottish economy."

"We don't underestimate the scale of the challenge and we understand that ordinary working people are feeling the pinch, which is why we have launched housing support and energy efficiency packages.

"But Scottish employment has reached historic highs in recent months and we will do all we can to maintain this while providing support for those who are out of work through programmes like the New Deal."

The Scottish enterprise minister, Jim Mather, said the Scottish economy continued to show "resilience" in the face of global economic uncertainty.

"This government won't simply wait for things to get better - we will continue to act to make Scotland more competitive, for example through cutting business rates, to ensure Scotland's labour market can make a full contribution towards our goal of increased sustainable economic growth," he added.

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