Scottish Secretary welcomes August 2019 Labour Market Statistics

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show mixed results, with the rate of employment remaining steady with an increase of 4000 alongside an increase of 12,000 in unemployment. Scotland’s 3.6% unemployment rate remains below that of the UK as a whole at 3.9%, and the number of people employed in Scotland is near the recent record high at 2,685,000.

In response to these figures, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

Today’s figures present a mixed picture but any increase in unemployment is a cause for concern. We cannot let up in our efforts to grow the Scottish economy.

We will leave the EU on October 31 and begin to realise new opportunities for business.

The UK Government has also committed almost £1.4 billion to date for city and growth deals across Scotland with more to come.

We will continue to work with the Scottish Government but I urge them to use their considerable economic powers more effectively.