Rising Scottish unemployment underlines need to axe Job Tax

Wednesday 17th February 2010

Commenting on today’s news that Scottish unemployment has risen by 10,000 over the past quarter, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“These figures show that the effects of the economic downturn are continuing to bite in Scotland, and it is particularly concerning that we appear to be lagging against the reductions in unemployment being experienced in the rest of the United Kingdom.  Although unemployment generally has not yet reached the levels that many had predicted as the recession took hold, there remain challenges ahead for many businesses over the course of the coming year and it may be some time before improving business fortunes translate into a rising trend in employment.

“This underlines the need for the UK Government to rethink its plans to raise rates of National Insurance Contributions.  This would be a tax on jobs at a time when business can least afford it.”

Back to main news page