Labour's insensitivity to unemployed Scots staggering

9.15.00am GMT Fri 22nd Jan 2010

Commenting on the latest national statistics showing that Scottish unemployment continues to rise, Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesman for Edinburgh South said, "At Prime Minister's Questions this week Gordon Brown said that Labour have 'taken action so that we can see unemployment falling',

"This just shows how out of touch the Labour Government is with the people in Edinburgh South struggling to find work. Sadly many of those struggling are recent graduates who are unable to find entry level jobs as Labour's recession continues to bite.

"In the last year the number of people unemployed in Edinburgh South has gone up by 1%. That's one more person in every hundred that is struggling to find work, or over 700 hundred more people across the constituency battling for the few jobs that are available."

Mike Pringle, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh South, added, "Gordon Brown's insensitivity to those Scots still facing unemployment is simply staggering. His triumphalism on UK job numbers is offensive when the latest figures show Scottish unemployment is rising.

"Labour has taken Scotland and Edinburgh South for granted for too long. Only the Liberal Democrats will provide the investment in jobs and young people we need in Edinburgh South to build a fairer, stronger economy."