New jobs figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that in the past year, the employment rate has fallen in Scotland compared to rises across the rest of the UK. The Scottish employment rate has fallen from 75.8 per cent to 75.1 per cent. For the UK as a whole the employment rate has increased.

There are 53,000 fewer jobs in Scotland compared to the same point last year. Over the same period England added 159,000 jobs, Northern Ireland added 14,000 jobs and Wales added 4,000 jobs. This has resulted in the unemployment rate remaining higher in Scotland compared with the whole of the UK.

Graham Simpson MSP said “These figures are extremely disappointing for Scotland. The decline in private sector jobs is yet another sign that our economy under the SNP is stumbling.

“Across Central Scotland the number of people not in work claiming jobseekers allowance and Universal Credit has increased by 26 per cent over the past year. East Kilbride has seen an increase of 44 per cent. This is in contrast with the rest of the UK, there has been an increase in the number of people in work.

“Yet again, we see the results of the SNP neglecting Scotland economy. The SNP has all the powers it needs to tackle this slow down and revitalise the Scottish economy. But the only economic growth plan the SNP has produced has been a blueprint for independence.

“The SNP must get back to the day job, stop obsessing about independence and focus on revitalising the Scottish economy.”