Statistics released today show the numbers claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in the Scottish Borders is on the rise.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), released today show that in the Scottish Borders, the number of JSA claimants rose from 1,050 to 1,085 between November and December of last year.
Across Scotland, unemployment rose by 11,000 in the last quarter, whereas across the UK as a whole, unemployment fell to an 11 year low.
It has also emerged today that growth in Scotland for the last year was just 0.7 per cent, compared to 2.2 per cent for the rest of the UK.
Local MSP John Lamont has said the SNP cannot blame Westminster or Brexit because it was becoming increasingly clear that Scotland’s performance was lagging behind the rest of the UK, despite being subject to the same consequences of the vote to leave the EU.
John Lamont MSP said: “The Scottish Government had more powers than ever to boost Scotland’s economy, yet still performance lags badly behind other parts of the UK.
“It is of note that the number of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance in the Scottish Borders is starting to creep. We also learn today that across Scotland more widely, employment and growth are both lagging behind the rest of the UK.
“The SNP Government should be making its first priority to turn this poor performance around. Instead, they are coming up with pathetic excuses for their economic mismanagement.
“Turning Scotland into the highest taxed part of the UK, and threatening a second referendum on independence are clearly beginning to take their toll on the Scottish economy. The SNP should ditch both plans and use the powers at its disposal to boost jobs and boost the economy.”