Scotland is leading the economic recovery with employment up 24,000 in the last three months and unemployment rates remaining lower than the UK average.
The increase in employment comes despite the jobless rate increasing by one thousand. Across the UK the jobless increase was over 37,000.
The news on employment figures comes as Scottish Power announces 1,500 jobs in Scotland over the next decade.
Welcoming the figures SNP MSP and Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee member Chic Brodie said:
“Today’s figures show Scotland is leading the UK’s economic recovery. When employment has increased by 24,000 in Scotland and only 25,000 in the UK as a whole it is clear Scotland is on the right path.”
Mr Brodie repeated the Scottish government’s calls for more economic powers and added:
“Scotland’s economy is making steady progress, but there is always more to do. With job creating powers over corporation tax rates the Scottish Government could provide incentives for key areas of the economy.
“Instead our economic recovery is at risk from the cuts plans of a Tory/Lib Dem Government and the Labour, Lib Dem and Tory Government’s refusal to allow the Scottish Parliament to use all the economic levers the people of Scotland want us to have.”
