Unemployment is Falling as Scottish Recovery Continues, Says Trust Deed Company

Manchester, United Kingdom, November 21, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Unemployment in Scotland fell by 13,000 for the three months up to December 2010 while those in employment rose by 23,000 for the seventh time in a row. This makes Scotland the only UK nation to have falling unemployment and rising employment in that quarter.

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said: "For three consecutive monthly labour market statistics releases, we have seen falling unemployment and rising employment in Scotland compared to rising unemployment and falling employment across the UK.

"This vindicates the robust and comprehensive action we are taking through our Economic Recovery Plan to protect recovery and support jobs - in the face of a £1.3 billion cut imposed on Scotland by Westminster.

"Our commitment to recovery is underlined in our Budget, now approved by Parliament, which will support 25,000 modern apprenticeships in 2011/12 - the highest ever number in Scotland; provide an extra 2,000 flexible training opportunities, taking the total to 7,000; and deliver a £10 million scheme to support new jobs across Scotland's small business community.”

Mr. Mather went on to say there may also be an initiative to create employment opportunities for unemployed young adults with active discussions in progress with Scotland's third sector.

However, some do not believe this goes far enough. Iain Gray, Labour’s Holyrood leader, referred to the SNP’s plans for the young as “timid” and claimed they were not doing nearly enough to tackle youth unemployment. "A generation of young Scots are betrayed and in his recent budget Finance Secretary John Swinney didn't take the immediate, urgent action that was needed. It was the usual timid half measures from the SNP letting down our young people when they needed people to stand up for them."

A spokesperson for Debt Solutions Company; Scottish Trust Deed, said: “The employment figures are very welcome, but some of this growth comes at the expense of full-time work. The figures for part-time work have increased considerably. However, while the various training schemes are a start, the measures introduced so far by the government still don’t help young Scottish adults get actual jobs and earn money right now. Not everyone wants to be an apprentice.”

Many young adults are building up staggering levels of debt trying to manage on Jobseeker’s allowance, which has been blamed for making a bad situation worse. The tiered benefits system means older working adults receive more payment than younger people, who automatically receive a lower rate.

“Citizens Advice Bureau Scotland estimates around two of every five of their clients who are under 25 live with their parents because they have no other choice,” said David. “Those young Scots who do manage to live independently are frequently met with unhelpful advice about moving back home with their parents. Can you imagine anyone giving the same advice to an older adult on benefits?”

One in 10 young people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance compared to 1 in 20 of all people of working age in August 2010, and 13% of young Scots now claim some kind of benefit.

“We’re talking to people as young as 21 about Insolvency, Trust Deeds and the Debt Arrangement Scheme. At that age you shouldn’t have to be in such a desperate debt situation and feel that your world is falling down around you,” concluded the spokesperson.