This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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FM pledges fresh drive for full employment
26/01/2007
Scotland's record on tackling child poverty and driving up employment can be an example for the rest of the UK, First Minister Jack McConnell said today as he met Work and Pensions Secretary, John Hutton, in Glasgow.
Both were joined by Ministers from the UK and Scottish governments at a breakfast meeting and question and answer session on welfare reform at John Wheatley College.
The Secretary of State and the First Minister discussed how Scotland can step up the push for full employment in the years ahead - maintaining the rapid economic growth that has seen employment in Scotland increase even faster than the UK as a whole over the last ten years.
They also pledged to work together towards full employment in Scotland by helping more disadvantaged people into work.
The First Minister said:
"In 1999, the Prime Minister announced that we would end child poverty in a generation. This remains a truly radical and historic goal. Devolved government in Scotland has shared these ambitions from the very outset.
"As we've always said, work is the best route of all from poverty - and the best long-term solution to the problem.
"Eight years into devolution, I think it's clear that we are moving in the right direction. Against the background of a stable UK economy - and a long term trend of low inflation and low interest rates - there are now jobs again in Scotland.
"Scotland now has the highest employment rate of the UK nations, and amongst the very best in the whole of Europe. And Scotland has exceeded its interim target to reduce child poverty by a quarter by 2005 ahead of the rest of the UK.
"In that respect, Scotland can be an example for the rest of the UK. But we accept there is more we must do.
"There remain too many people out of work and in poverty. I am determined that we will work with the UK government to reach out to those who are economically inactive, and help them into fulfilling jobs, while still supporting those for whom work is not a viable option."
Background:
Employment in Scotland has risen since 1997 from below the UK rate to significantly above it. The employment rate has increased by 5.0 per cent in Scotland since 1997, compared to 1.9 per cent across the UK. Scotland now has the highest employment rate of the UK nations, and amongst the very best in the whole of Europe. There are 2.48 million people in jobs in Scotland - 280,000 more than 1997.
Had Scotland increased at the overall UK rate there would be 2.28 million people in work - 200,000 fewer
Scotland has hit its interim target to reduce child poverty by a quarter by 2005 ahead of the rest of the UK.
Scottish Executive initiatives such as Workforce Plus and Working for Families are harnessing the work of the key education, regeneration and health agencies in Scotland to boost employment.