Commenting on TUC analysis published today showing that, across the UK, the number of people spending their second successive Christmas on the dole will double to over 200,000 this year, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:
“The slight dip in Scottish ILO unemployment this month is to be welcomed and demonstrates the impact of the interventionist measures taken at Scottish and UK level since the end of last year.
“However, there is no room for complacency. The number of people spending their second successive Christmas on the dole in Scotland is extremely worrying. In Scotland, we continue to live with the social and economic impacts of the long-term unemployment caused by previous recessions.
“Therefore it is essential that Government at all levels continues to support the unemployed back into work and also to assist those at risk of redundancy. The STUC looks forward to discussing and debating these issues with the Scottish and UK Government’s at the ‘Jobs Summit’ on 11 January”.
ENDS
Notes
1 The full TUC analysis is attached to this press release. The Scottish figures can be accessed on the Local Authority Excel spreadsheet.
2 Between November 2008 and December 2009, the Scottish local authority areas showing the biggest increase in people claiming Jobseekers Allowance for over 12 months were: East Lothian 429% (35 claimants rising to 150); Perth and Kinross 333% (35 to 100); South Lanarkshire 333% (260 to 900); Midlothian 292% (55 to 175); North Lanarkshire 290% (430 to 1350). The average increase across all UK local authority areas was 198%.
3 The level of unemployment benefits continues to be a major concern for the STUC. JSA for a single person at £64.30 a week (or £50.95 for people aged 16-25) – the lowest relative to wages in developed countries.
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