Dundee now has the highest unemployment rate of the four cities in Scotland
17 August 2012
Councillor Kevin Keenan, Labour group leader on Dundee City Council , has responded to official figures showing that Dundee now has the highest level of unemployment amongst the four traditional main cities of Scotland.
“Last month, unemployment in Dundee rose to its highest level in the past 14 years.
“So serious is the key issue of employment in the city, that Dundee now has the highest jobless rate of the 4 traditional Scottish cities .
“We now have a higher unemployment rate than Glasgow, for both overall rate and the rate for men.
“Dundee’s unemployment rate is now almost twice that of Edinburgh and almost three times that of Aberdeen.
The female unemployment rate in Dundee - 3.6 per cent – is now higher than the male unemployment rate in Aberdeen – 3.0. per cent.
“The city is crying out for action on jobs and the local economy.
“ We need measures such as :
- Bringing forward investment projects such as the new Harris Academy
- Giving small firms a one year national insurance tax break to allow them to take on extra workers
-A temporary cut in the UK Government's VAT rise which would mean a £450 boost for families with children.
-A cut in VAT on home improvements to 5% for a year to help homeowners and small businesses.
- A fair and just tax on bankers’ bonuses to fund a real jobs guarantee for all young people out of work for a year and help build many more affordable homes.
“Businesses across the city are already doing their best to help.
“It’s now up to the national governments to redouble their efforts to boost the local economy and get people back to work in Dundee.”