More than 250 jobs are being created every day in Scotland as employment rises at its fastest rate in almost seven years.
New figures revealed yesterday that there are now 92,000 more people in work than there were a year ago, and the jobless total north of the border continues to fall.
The number of people in Scotland who are in work increased to 2,556,000 over the three months between October and December last year.
Employment increased by 9,000 over the quarter and was up by 92,000 on the same period in 2012 – with the Scottish Government hailing this as the largest annual rise in employment in almost seven years.
The number of women in work has risen by 72,000 over the year.
The unemployment total – which includes those out of work and not eligible for benefits – dropped by 3,000 between October and December last year to stand at 195,000, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
The number of people not working and claiming jobseeker’s allowance also fell by 2,900 between December and January, to a new total of 110,400.
This is the 15th month in a row that the number of people claiming this benefit has fallen, and the figure is 27,000 less than it was in the first month of 2013.
The unemployment rate in Scotland is now 7.1%, slightly below the rate of 7.2% for the UK as a whole.
First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the increase in the number of Scots in work.
“Delivering the largest annual increase in employment levels in nearly seven years is a demonstration of this government’s commitment to creating jobs and boosting the economy,” he said.
But he claimed the Scottish Government’s work to boost the economy was “constrained” by the UK Government’s austerity programme.
Mr Salmond said: “While we are making good progress, we continue to do so constrained by a Westminster Government’s pursuit of austerity.
“Only with the full fiscal and economic powers of independence can we take a different approach, focused on maintaining and building sustainable economic growth, do more to strengthen our economy and create jobs.”
The latest figures showed the largest annual increase in the number of women in work for more than 20 years, the Scottish Government said.
There are now 1,243,000 females in employment – the highest total ever.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the latest unemployment figures showed Scotland’s economy was growing as part of the UK, as he hit out at the First Minister over his independence plans.
Business leaders welcomed the fall in the jobless total. Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, saying: “More and more indicators are pointing towards the economic recovery continuing in 2014 and many businesses are actively recruiting new staff or working to increase productivity levels of existing workers.”