This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Brian Wilson comments on May Labour Market Statistics
13/05/1998
Scottish Industry Minister Brian Wilson today welcomed the latest statistics which he said showed "further improvements in the Scottish labour market and continue the downward trend in unemployment."
On a seasonally unadjusted basis International Labour Organisation (ILO) unemployment fell by 22,000 over the year to January - March 1998 to 194,000 (7.8 per cent), while employment rose by 40,000. On the previous headline basis of reporting the seasonally adjusted number of people in Scotland claiming unemployment-related benefits, the total fell by 900 between March and April to 138,600.
Mr Wilson said:
"The data published today show further improvements in the Scottish labour market. Labour Force Survey estimates for the year to January - March 1998 reveal an acceleration in the fall in ILO unemployment and stronger growth in employment, compared to the same period a year ago. This is very good news.
"The number of young people claiming unemployment-related benefits and the number of long term claimants has fallen substantially. Employers across Scotland are supporting the New Deal initiative which is now helping the young unemployed off welfare and into work. The programme for the long term unemployed aged 25 and over will be launched across Scotland in June."
BACKGROUND
1. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) data is published 12 times a year for an average of three consecutive months. Seasonally adjusted data can be compared with the previous non-overlapping three month period ie. January-March can be compared with October - December. Comparisons with consecutive non-overlapping three month periods should be made with seasonally adjusted data.
2. Data from the LFS for Scotland are currently only available on a seasonally unadjusted basis. As such, comparisons with the same 12 months earlier should be made ie. January-March should be compared with January-March in the previous year.
News Release: 0974/98
13 May 1998