Unemployment in the
Highlands and Islands has risen by almost 1,000 since last November
16 February 2012
The numbers claiming Job Seekers Allowance across the council areas of Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute, Western Isles , Orkney and Shetland has increased by 989 between November 2011 and January of this year.
Commenting on the figures, Rhoda Grant MSP said,
"The Highlands and Islands over-riding priorities in recent months have remained the need for solid, sustained investment in jobs
"The SNP Government’s priorities have been Alex Salmond’s non-appearance on TV as a rugby pundit and further talks about the process of the referendum but nothing about what they mean by separation.
" The Scottish Government must reverse its priorities and policies to put the Highlands and Islands on the path of economic growth and recovery"
The figures for each council area
Orkney
Number unemployed in November 2011 - 248 ; January 2012 - 264 increase 16
Shetland
Number unemployed in November 2011 - 191 ; January 2012 - 221 increase 30
Western Isles
Number unemployed in November 2011 - 518 ; January 2012 - 554 increase 36
Argyll and Bute
Number unemployed in November 2011 - 1,909 ; January 2012 - 2,105 increase 196
Moray
Number unemployed in November 2011 - 1,343 ; January 2012 - 1,592 increase 249
Highland
Number unemployed in November 2011 - 3,889 ; January 2012 - 4,351 increase 462
Total increase 989