HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc769-70W
Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future prospects for employment in Scotland. [78250]

Ruth Kelly

Since 1997 in Scotland, total employment has risen by 100,000 (or 4.4 per cent.) and claimant count unemployment has been reduced by 60,700 (or 37.4 per cent.).

The UK Government and the Scottish Executive have put in place a comprehensive range of policies designed to reduce unemployment and get people back into work. These policies have already paid dividends and, as the figures show, will continue to benefit the Scottish labour market into the future.