Success of SNP Policy Published

Recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics shows that unemployment in the Falkirk Council area is at its lowest level for years.

Figures at the end of last year show that unemployment fell below 2,000 for the first time since before 1983.

The claimant count shows that 1,916 people (2% of Falkirk’s working-age population) were unemployed in October 2007 – an 18% reduction since October 2006. This can be compared with over 11,000 people claiming unemployment benefits in the mid 1980s.

Councillor Angus MacDonald, SNP Group Economic Development Spokesperson believes that the success is directly attributed to the My Future’s in Falkirk strategy introduced and developed by Falkirk Council’s previous SNP / Independent Administration.

The economic development strategy launched in 2003 at a time when Falkirk’s unemployment rate was above both the Scottish and UK averages has already been responsible for close on £1 billion in additional investment in the district.

Said Councillor MacDonald,

”What we are now seeing is the fruits of the SNP’s labours in the areas of not only job creation but of delivering sustainable development and employment growth.

It is no coincidence that Falkirk has done better than most areas over the last four or five years because the SNP had the vision to make the economy and the provision of opportunities both educational and employment our priority.

I am delighted that our strategy has been demonstrated to be so successful that we have exceeded targets which many felt were overly ambitious.

It is also a matter of satisfaction that the current Labour / Conservative Administration members who were so obstructive and negative when the SNP and our Independent colleagues were implementing our strategy have been shown to be both wrong in their assessment and hopelessly out of touch in terms of levels of ambition.

Overall, unemployment in the Falkirk Council area is now lower than both the Scottish and UK average."