Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Unemployment: Scotland

Monday 9 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Scottish unemployment rate is 3.8%.
  • Overall economic inactivity in Scotland is higher than the UK average.
  • The oil and gas industry is recognized as important and will remain part of the UK's energy mix for a long time.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Economy Employment Scotland
Context

The MP noted rising unemployment concerns in Scotland. She mentioned the Scottish unemployment rate of 3.8% and that Scotland's economic inactivity rate is higher than the UK average.

Question

I am concerned about recent trends in levels of unemployment in Scotland, where the unemployment rate is 3.8% and overall economic inactivity is higher than the UK average. Can you provide an assessment of these trends?

Answer from Pat McFadden

The Scottish unemployment rate is 3.8%, and overall economic inactivity in Scotland is higher than in the UK as a whole. Scotland has had the biggest increase in funding since devolution began, including major defence contracts and trade deals benefiting Scotland's whisky and food industries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment of unemployment trends in Scotland was not provided.

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Q2 Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North
Taxation Employment Energy
Context

The MP highlighted the impact of the oil and gas industry on her constituency, noting that one in three people are employed directly or indirectly in the sector. She questioned the accuracy of job loss measures.

Question

One in three people in my constituency are employed directly or indirectly in the oil and gas industry. Given the reduction in investment due to the tax system, is the Secretary of State confident that the Government's measure of the number of jobs lost, particularly in the oil and gas industry, is truly accurate, given that people are generally not signing on for universal credit but rather moving to places like Dubai and Doha?

Answer from Pat McFadden

That is of course a hugely important industry for the UK. A transition is taking place, but oil and gas will be part of the mix for a long time to come. The Chancellor met those in the industry last week, and the industry's importance is recognised and hugely valued by the Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The accuracy of job loss measures was not confirmed.

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Q3 Johanna Baxter Lab Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Employment Scotland
Context

The MP discussed the SNP Government's reduction in funded apprenticeships and rising youth unemployment in Scotland. She suggested that electing a new Government in Holyrood could be a solution.

Question

Last year, the SNP Government in Holyrood funded nearly 9,000 fewer apprenticeships than colleges and industry asked for. Youth unemployment in Scotland is rising; more than one in eight young people are unemployed. Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the solutions to this problem is electing a new Government in Holyrood under Anas Sarwar of the Labour party?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I very much agree with my hon. Friend's final point. I think Anas Sarwar would make an excellent First Minister, and I look forward to supporting him in the campaign to come. We want young people in Scotland to have as many opportunities and as good opportunities as young people anywhere else in the UK.

Not addressed: The issue of youth unemployment and apprenticeships was not directly addressed.

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