Unemployment in Scotland rises to 4.6% amid pandemic

Unemployment in Scotland rose between May and July amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to latest figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over increased to 4.6% (128,000) over that period, a 0.1% increase on the previous quarter.

This was higher than the the UK wide rate of 4.1%.

The proportion of people aged 16-64 in employment also rose to 74.3% (2.65 million), a 0.1% increase on the previous quarter.

Business Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “For the period May to July 2020, Scotland’s employment rate estimate rose slightly over the quarter to 74.3% and the unemployment rate estimate also rose slightly over the quarter to 4.6%.

“These figures only partially show how the lockdown measures needed to suppress coronavirus (Covid-19) have affected our economy and labour market – they still do not reflect the full impact on employment as the Job Retention Scheme will have offered some relief to many employers and employees.

“Our Programme for Government, published this month, has protecting and renewing Scotland’s labour market at its heart through our new National Mission to create new, good, green jobs.

“This includes a National Transition Training Fund to support up to 10,000 people at risk of redundancy or unemployment and the Scottish Youth Guarantee, worth £60 million, will ensure every young person has the opportunity of work, education, or training.

“A new £100 million Green Jobs Fund will be created while a new Inward Investment Plan will create 100,000 high value jobs over the next decade and boost GDP.

“We continue to call on the UK Government to also play its part and extend the Job Retention Scheme, particularly for sectors such as travel, tourism and hospitality that face significant long-term challenges, likely to remain when the scheme ends next month.”