HC Deb 27 April 2004 vol 420 cc876-7W
13. Ann McKechin

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will n take a statement on the level of employment in Glasgow. [167041]

Mr. Darling

There are 242,000 people in employment in Glasgow City. The labour market in Glasgow has improved markedly since 1997 as evidenced by the fall in the number of people out of work and claiming benefit. At March 2004 there were 18,000 claimants compared to 29,000 in 1997, a fall of 38 per cent. However, the Government are aware that the challenge remains to further increase employment in Glasgow. We are working hard to do so with a range of policy measures including the New Deal and the Working Tax Credit.