UNEMPLOYMENT IS A GRIM MEASURE OF RECESSION.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS A GRIM MEASURE OF RECESSION.

UK GOVERNMENT MUST RULE OUT SCOTTISH SPENDING CUTS

The SNP has expressed grave concern over the increase in jobless figures, and reports from the STUC revealing the ratio of jobs to applicants is exceeding 1 to 10 in many parts of the country.

Unemployment is set to exceed two million when the Office for National Statistics publishes its latest data tomorrow (Wednesday). Between October and December the jobless figure rose by 146,000 to 1.97 million this was the highest level since 1997.

Meanwhile, the STUC have published analysis which shows that the ratio of jobs to jobseekers is on average 1 to 10 across Scotland with some unemployment blackspots with an even higher ratio.

Commenting, SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson, John Mason MP said:

“The prospect of the UK jobless total passing two million is truly grim, and underlines the depth of the recession.

“The bad news has just kept coming, and these appalling unemployment figures underline the desperate need to get a grip on the economic crisis.

“In particular, the STUC analysis shatters Gordon Brown’s claims that there are plenty of jobs available for people who are prepared to look. We need to stimulate the economy, we need to create new jobs as well as protecting existing ones, and that means ditching irresponsible plans to slash public spending in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government is doing everything it can, and Scottish unemployment is still lower than the UK average. But the UK Government must step up their action – and they should start by ruling out planned cuts to Scottish public spending in the teeth of the recession.”