Scotland’s unemployment rate falls to record low according to figures from Office of National Statistics

The rate of unemployment in Scotland has fallen to a record low, according to new figures.

Office of National Statistics (ONS) data showed that for November 2022 to January this year, 3.1% of people north of the border aged 16 and over were out of work.

This was down 0.2% on the previous three-month period from August to October last year, and down 0.7% on the year before.

The lowest unemployment rate across the UK for this quarter was in the South West of England at 2.3% but Scotland, the North East (4.1%) and Yorkshire and The Humber (3.2%) all showed joint record lows for their respective regions.

The latest figures show Scotland’s employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 years is at 76.5%.

This is a slight increase of 0.5% on the previous quarter (August to October 2022), and 2% more than in the same period last year.

It is, however, a small decrease on the final three months of 2022 when the employment rate stood at 76.6%, which was the highest recorded since the labour force survey series began in 1992.

Scotland’s employment minister Richard Lochhead said of the latest statistics: “The low unemployment rate across Scotland and close to record high employment rates for all 16 to 64-year-olds are welcome but certain industries still face recruitment challenges.

“The Scottish Government is delivering on the National Strategy for Economic Transformation to create a fairer, wealthier and greener country, while ensuring everyone can thrive in a diverse and inclusive workforce.

“The UK Government holds key powers over parts of employment law and has refused to devolve powers on migration, which could boost Scotland’s workforce and tackle the recruitment challenges, many of which have been caused by the end of free movement and the hard Brexit imposed on Scotland by the UK Government.

“I have repeatedly called on UK ministers to establish a joint taskforce on labour market shortages. An urgent rethink of UK Government immigration policy is needed so there is increased access to the international labour and skills that Scotland needs for our economy and communities to flourish.”