Employment figures: We need common sense measures to grow Scotland’s economy

Today's figures show that unemployment in Scotland fell by 7,000 over the quarter to February 2011.

Derek Brownlee, Scottish Conservative Finance Spokesperson, said:

"A further fall in unemployment will always be welcomed but the rate is still too high, and politicians at all levels need to do all we can to help create new jobs.

"That's why at the last budget Scottish Conservatives secured help for businesses to take on new staff and we also delivered a £16m boost for housing – these two measures alone will create over 10,000 jobs. These are common sense measures to help grow our economy.

"Scotland has relied too heavily on public sector employment in the past and it is time to focus on helping entrepreneurs build new businesses, and on supporting existing small businesses.

"That's why we have pledged to create a £154m Scottish Business Start Up Fund to support access to enterprise education, vocational training, and to provide grants and loans to assist in the creation of new businesses. We also want 25% of local and national Government contracts to be awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises. This is real help to grow Scotland's economy.

"Every voter in every seat in every region of Scotland can vote for these common sense policies on May 5th."

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