Scotland's unemployment rate did not rise over the last three months, official figures published today show. Further, employment rose slightly between July and September.
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “Today’s Scottish jobs figures don’t show the trouble that we’re in. While many small businesses will have moved heaven and earth to keep their staff on, unless we stabilise trading conditions then we risk a wave of job losses in the future.
“Anecdotally, many Scottish businesses don’t realise that the extended furlough scheme is open to them at the moment, even if they don’t face stringent restrictions. We need to raise awareness that Scottish businesses facing the indirect impact of current coronavirus restrictions – such as tourism firms in rural areas or city centre operators dependent on office workers – can use the scheme. That way we’ll save many more jobs.
“The news of a vaccine will have cheered many in Scotland’s business community. But we know there are still many hard yards to go. That’s why we want Ministers in Edinburgh and London not to give up on local businesses when there’s light at the end of the tunnel. That means thinking about the impact on local economies when they make every single decision.”
ENDS