Unemployment figures: a ‘wake-up call’

Commenting on the latest Scottish unemployment figures from the Office of National Statistics which shows that unemployment in Scotland now stands at 231,000 with an increase of 0.7% over the last quarter SGF Chief Executive, John Drummond, said: 

“Some are calling the latest unemployment figures a ‘disaster’; I call them a wake-up call. 

“Another increase in the Scottish unemployment rate is a reminder of how vitally important employers like retailers are to the economic health and wellbeing of Scotland.

“Retail remains the largest private sector employer in Scotland with SGF members employing nearly 30,000 people alone. 

“However, like households, retailers are not immune to the dual pressures of rising overhead costs and squeezed incomes. 

“There is much the Scottish Government could be doing to support our businesses to remain successful employers. 

“Extending the scope of the small business bonus scheme and listening to our concerns about the constant raft of legislation and regulation which is strangling the life out of our businesses would be a good place to start.”