Unemployment continues to fall as 14,000 fewer Scots on the dole

Unemployment has fallen for the third month in a row, with the latest figures showing 14,000 fewer Scots on the dole queue.

Official statistics for the period February to April put unemployment - including those who are out of work and not eligible for benefits - at 220,000.

While that is down on the previous quarter it is still 14,000 higher than the total 12 months ago.

The number of people not in work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has also increased slightly. This rose by 400 from April to May, to stand at 142,600.

This is also higher than it was a year ago, with the total for May 2011 2,500 more than May 2011.

The unemployment rate in Scotland remained unchanged at 8.2% - the same as the overall rate for the UK.

The figures also showed a rise in employment, with this increasing by 18,000 over the period February to April to 2,481,000.

Scotland continues to have a higher employment rate than the UK as a whole, with this standing at 71.1% north of the border compared to 70.6%.

A total of 86,000 16 to 24-year-olds are out of work, the figures for February to April showed, giving an unemployment rate of 21.3% in the age group.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said reducing youth unemployment was a "key focus" for the UK Government and the issue would be on the agenda when the British-Irish Council meets in Scotland on Friday.

Overall, Mr Moore said that any rise in employment was to be welcomed, stating: "These figures show the third consecutive month of reporting an increase in those finding work. That is both good news for those getting into paid work and for our economy."

He continued: "The Scottish labour market is showing signs of resilience but there is no room for complacency as we work towards securing growth and creating further jobs. Scotland and the UK continue to face significant international challenges and that underlines our need to remain on course with our current economic strategy. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure labour market conditions improve further and get more people back into work."

Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said this was the 19th month in a row Scotland had had a higher employment rate than the UK as a whole.

He added: "Unemployment has continued to fall for the third month of figures and the rate remains lower than in most of the other nations and regions of the UK - but while these are welcome trends, more needs to be done."

He again urged the UK Government to release cash to fund infrastructure projects, arguing this would further boost employment.

Mr Swinney said: "There are positive indications in the Scottish economy but an expansion of capital investment by the UK Government is needed to boost job creation. We submitted a list of over 30 shovel-ready projects to the Prime Minister in March, and if these projects could go ahead now they would provide a vital boost to jobs and economic activity in Scotland."

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