Wednesday15 August 2012

Unemployment stats – UNISON Scotland response

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures released by the Office of National Statistics today (Wednesday, August 15), Mike Kirby, UNISON’s Scottish Secretary, said:

“This small fall in unemployment is welcome, but we have little to celebrate. Youth unemployment continues to rise and there’s no disguising the fact that young people face a bleak jobs future. These figures also hide underemployment in Scotland through the use of self-employment, part-time and zero-hours contracts.

“The UK Government must not condemn an entire generation of young people to the dole queue and must instead focus on rebuilding our economy and safeguarding the future. The government must ditch its failed austerity policies and promote growth through investment in jobs and services, with targeted help for young people.”

ENDS

For more information

Trisha Hamilton, UNISON’s Communications Officer, on 0141 342 2877 or 07939 478 461.

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