WIREDGOV

Scotland records largest increase in earnings across the UK.

Scotland has recorded the largest increase in median full-time weekly earnings across the UK over the year, according to figures published yesterday by the Office for National Statistics.

Figure show that gross median weekly earnings in Scotland have increased by 2.1 per cent over the year to £519.40.

Commenting on the figures Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney said:

“These figures show that our policies to attract investment, boost infrastructure and invest in the skills and training of Scotland’s workforce are working.

“As a result, the latest figures on the job market from July to September 2014 also revealed that Scotland has the highest employment and economic activity rates and lowest unemployment rate of the four nations of the UK. But there is still more to do.

“Despite cuts from Westminster, earnings are continuing to rise in Scotland. We are investing in infrastructure, including in transport, housing, colleges, health facilities and schools and we are providing jobs to the construction sector and stimulating growth.”

Also commenting on the figures Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment said:

“Tackling the gender-gap is a key commitment of this Government. Every women should be able to fulfil their potential in the labour market and in their wider life.

“Supporting economic growth and tackling poverty and inequalities, is all part of this Government’s approach to creating a more prosperous and fair society. 

“We are doing what we can to support women in work and over the last year to July to September 2014, female unemployment has fallen by 29,000 whilst female employment has increased by 45,000.

“We need more powers over equality legislation so we can target efforts on equal pay.

“We need to tackle the scandalous levels of pay inequality. The equal pay act was introduced in 1970. Forty four years later it is clear that the current constitutional arrangements are not delivering for women in Scotland.”

Notes To Editors

The ONS data will be available from:

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/annual-survey-of-hours-and-earnings/index.html

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/ashe/low-pay/index.html

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/lmac/public-and-private-sector-earnings/index.html