Rising unemployment shows Labour has let down Scotland – Carmichael (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Rising unemployment shows Labour has let down Scotland – Carmichael

February 17, 2010 11:41 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Today's ONS figures show that:

o Unemployment in Scotland has risen by 10,000, while falling across the UK as a whole

o Scotland's unemployment rate, which one year ago was significantly lower than that of the UK, is now almost level with the UK figure

Labour Employment Minister Jim Knight has described today's figures as 'good news'.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary, Alistair Carmichael said:

"Once again Labour ministers have welcomed unemployment figures which show that Scotland's position is getting worse, not better.

"This is yet more evidence that Gordon Brown takes Scotland for granted. Labour has let down those who have been most loyal in their support.

"We need to see real investment in Scottish manufacturing to get people back into work and the economy moving again. The Liberal Democrats would get Scotland's ports and shipyards working again by putting them at the forefront of the renewable energy industry."

Notes:

1. Unemployment figures for Scotland and the UK for October-December 2009 can be found in table 18(1) here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/lmsuk0210.pdf They show that Scotland saw 10,000 more unemployed since the last quarter, while the UK as a whole saw a fall of 3,000 over the same period.

2. Despite unemployment continuing to rise in Scotland (along with other parts of the UK), Employment Minister Jim Knight has welcomed today's figures as 'good news'.

3. When Scotland's unemployment rate briefly fell in 2009, Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "Scotland's position on employment rates, economic activity, and unemployment rates has been better than the UK in each of the 30 months since May 2007. That demonstrates the substantial work done by the Scottish government to increase economic activity, support jobs and get people back to work through our economic recovery plan."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8415788.stm

4. Scotland's unemployment rate is rapidly catching up with that of the UK. For October-December 2008, Scotland's rate was 5.1% to the UK's 6.3%. (see table 18(1) here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/lmsuk0209.pdf) For the same period in 2009, Scotland's rate is 7.6% to the UK's 7.8%. And while UK unemployment is now falling, Scotland's continues to rise.

5. The Liberal Democrats Green Jobs plans - including £400m investment in UK ports and shipyards - can be found here: http://www.libdems.org.uk/press_releases_detail.aspx?title=Liberal_Democrats_launch_green_jobs_manifesto_pledge&pPK=907b390d-d73d-4e25-a62f-c85d9dfc1848