Responding to the new labour market statistics which show a fall in both employment and unemployment, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Carolyn Caddick said:

“The Scottish Government cannot afford to get complacent because our economic performance is patchy. 

“Last week we found out Scotland is on the brink of a recession, while the UK grows. Our employment level lags stubbornly behind the UK’s. The threat of another independence referendum is creating real uncertainty.

“Instead we need a transformational investment in education and skills. It is the best way of deploying the talents of all our people and building a high-wage, high-skill economy.”