Unemployment figures: Labour’s legacy of debt shows need to grow private sector

Figures today show that unemployment in Scotland increased by 6,000, to 229,000, between July and September 2010.

This represents 8.5% of the workforce - higher than the UK average unemployment rate of 7.7%.

In the UK as a whole, unemployment fell by 9,000 in the three months to September, to 2.45 million. Between April-June 2010, there was a 9,000 unemployment rise in Scotland over the past three months, against a 34,000 drop across the UK.

Derek Brownlee MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth, said:

"Once again, these are disappointing figures which show more than ever the need for the Scottish and UK Governments to work together to help the private sector create new jobs. 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.

"The challenge for SNP Ministers is to focus on job creation in the private sector, rather than saving their own ministerial careers."

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