Scotland risks being one of the worst hit parts of Britain unless real action is taken now,” said Alistair Carmichael , the Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary.Today’s unemployment figures show that:

• The rate of quarterly increase in unemployment in Scotland is twice that of the UK average
• The rate of year-on-year increase in Scotland is outstripping that of the UK (2.5% to 2.0%)

Commenting, Alistair Carmichael said:

“Labour’s claim that today’s figures show ‘welcome news’ is shamefully complacent.

“The rate at which Scotland’s unemployment is rising continues to outstrip that of the UK, yet the Government seems content to bury its head in the sand.

“Scotland risks being one of the worst hit parts of Britain unless real action is taken now. Scots never forgave the Tories for abandoning the country in the last recession – Labour must not take their support for granted in this one.”