Alex Salmond has called yet again for the UK government to invest in 'shovel-ready' construction projects in Scotland.

His call comes after the latest figures showed that unemployment figures fell last month for the fifth month in a row and unemployment in Scotland now stands at 7.9%, lower than the UK's 8% rate.

The number of people in employment rose by 12,000 over April to June, to 2,500,000. This total is, however, 5,000 lower than 12 months ago.

The CBI welcomed the drop in joblessness, and the organisation's Scotland policy executive Lauren Paterson said she hoped the Scottish Government's legislative agenda and spending plans, out next month, would be focused on continuing the trend.”


Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "These are encouraging figures during challenging times but we cannot be complacent.

"We need to continue to build a 'Team Scotland' approach to this issue across both governments, employment organisations and other bodies."

But the First Minister said action was needed from the UK and said the SNP would "do more to strengthen the economy" if the country were independent.

He said: "Time and again, this government has argued for a stimulus to capital investment by the UK Government to boost the construction sector and wider economy.

"Scottish GDP would have grown in the first quarter of the year if not for the problems that the sector faces, and that is why I have repeatedly called on the Chancellor to invest an extra £5 billion in capital projects, including the 'shovel ready' projects that we have identified in Scotland."

(NE)