Scotland’s labour market is showing resilience in the face of economic uncertainty, with the latest labour market barometer showing a rise in permanent and temporary job placements last month.
Stuart McMillan, SNP MSP for West Scotland and member of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee, welcomed the Bank of Scotland report and said:
“It is extremely encouraging to see the Scottish labour market continuing to hold steady in the face of continued economic uncertainty.
“The statistics show permanent and temporary job placements rising in May, while permanent salaries increased strongly.
“In the face of unprecedented cuts from Westminster, the SNP’s targeted action has guaranteed every 16 to 19-year-old a place in education or training, and invested a further £25 million in skills and training for young people.
“We have also helped over 80,000 small businesses survive the economic crisis with the small business bonus scheme.”
But Mr McMillan said there was more that could be done to help the economy and urged the UK Government to change course from its austerity agenda.
He said:
“Scotland is limited in what it can do – the inability to borrow means we cannot begin work on our 30 shovel-ready projects.
“George Osborne can’t keep using the crisis in the Euro as an excuse for his own failings. His relentless drive for austerity has caused the economy to grind to a halt.
“The UK Government should release the £300million funding for shovel-ready projects that would support thousands of jobs benefit communities all over Scotland.
“It is good news that the labour market is showing resilience, but just think what we could do with the full fiscal levers available to any normal nation.”