A drop in the number of people claiming benefits in the Aberdeen area has been hailed as “heartening” as new figures revealed Scotland’s jobless total rose by 8,000 in the three months to October.
The coming weeks will see more employment opportunities, with store and bar openings promising up to 70 new jobs in the city.
The total number of people claiming jobseekers allowance and universal credit in Aberdeenshire has fallen 17% to 1,965 compared to this time last year, according to the latest statistics from Jobcentre Plus. Among 18-24-year-olds in the area, there has been a drop of 13% to 405.
In Aberdeen, the overall number of claimants is down 10% over the same period to 3,160, with a 5% decrease in the 18-24 age group to 520.
Local Jobcentre Plus manager Lynne Kidd said: “The figures are heartening and we are seeing more opportunities opening up, with a wider range of jobs becoming available in the area.”
She highlighted the opening of a Home Bargains outlet in Bridge of Don on December 21, bringing 20 new jobs, and the recruitment of up to 40 staff ahead of the launch of a bar in Aberdeen’s new Marischal Square development in February.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics yesterday showed the unemployment rate in Scotland rose 0.3% to 4.1% in the third quarter of the year, with 8,000 more people aged 16-64 out of work than in the previous three months. The number in the age group with a job fell by 32,000 over the period.
Minster for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said the increase was disappointing, but stressed the unemployment rate remained below 4.3% UK-wide level.
Development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise said the unemployment rate in its area, which includes Moray, the Outer Hebrides and Orkney and Shetland, had remained at 1.8% for a second consecutive month.