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News & Blog

British Chambers of Commerce: Strong jobs figures offer light in economic gloom

Posted: 20th January 2016

 In the three months from September to November 2015, unemployment was 99,000 lower than in the previous three months, while employment was 267,000 higher

  • The youth unemployment rate was 13.7% in the three months September to November compared with 13.8% in the previous three months
  • Annual growth in average earnings in the three months to November 2015 were 2.0% including bonuses, and 1.9% excluding bonuses compared with the same period last year

 Commenting on the labour market figures for January 2016, published today by the ONS, David Kern, BCC Chief Economist, said:

“The UK’s vibrant and dynamic labour market remains a source of strength of our economy at a time of major uncertainty.

“However, there are some problems to overcome – while the youth unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the 2008 downturn, it is still much higher than the national average.”

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
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