THE number of people out of work in Scotland increased by 18,000 to 170,000 in the three months between June and August, new figures on unemployment showed. "Such investment would support continued economic growth and is in total contrast to the huge public spending reductions that have been set out by Westminster". It predicted United Kingdom growth of 2.5 percent in 2015, and 2.2 percent in 2016, revising its July forecast upwards. Pay, including bonuses, rose by 3pc in the quarter to August, following growth of 2.9pc in the three months to July. "London's jobs rate is at a record high but full employment is still a long way off, and those with low skills are less likely to be employed than anywhere else in the country". A few 140,000 more people were in work than in the quarter from March to May, with the overall employment rate now at 73.6%, the highest rate since records began in 1971. Despite the rise, the new figures do represent a year-on-year drop in unemployment for the North East. "This positive picture is replicated up and down the country, demonstrating that this one nation government is delivering a society with opportunity and security for all at its heart". James Sproule, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said: 'Another month of impressive jobs figures and strong wage growth show that the business-led recovery is well on track. The British Pound gained more than 0.4 percent versus the US Dollar after today's United Kingdom employment data, which signaled that the British labor market is in good shape. Wage growth remains weaker than before the crisis but has picked up faster than the BoE expected earlier this year. The Flemingsburg Gazette http://fleminggazette.com/5081/uk-united-kingdom-unemployment-rate-falls-to-seven-year-low/

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