Unemployment in Scotland rises despite businesses struggling to recruit staff

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scotland’s unemployment rate has risen slightly in the last quarter despite some businesses still struggling to recruit staff.ONS data published today showed that the unemployment rate for those aged 16 and over in March to May this year was at 3.2 per cent, up 0.2 per cent on the previous quarter.The employment rate for those aged 16 to 64 has dropped by 0.5 per cent over the last quarter to 75.1 per cent.There are now an estimated 2.44 million payrolled employees in Scotland as of June 2023, an increase of 24,000 on last year.But despite the almost record low level of unemployment some sectors of the economy are still finding it tough to hire workers.Hospitality and agricultural are particularly hard hit with many firms in rural parts of the country still dealing with the impact of Brexit.The Record revealed in its Broken Brexit series how tourism, fishing and farming have all been dealt hammer blows by the reckless decision to leave the European Union.Neil Gray, the Wellbeing Economy and Fair Work Secretary, welcomed the low level of unemployment but warned only "an urgent reassessment" of UK immigration policy could solve the recruitment crisis."The continued near-record low unemployment rates for those aged 16 and over across Scotland are welcome and reflects the resilience of the labour market amid the challenging economic outlook and ongoing cost-of-living crisis," he said."This is compounded by continuing high inflation and rising interest rates."With industries such as hospitality and agriculture still facing recruitment challenges, however, an urgent reassessment of UK Government immigration policy is necessary to increase access to the international labour and skills that Scotland needs for our economy and