15 September 2006
Public sector employment in Scotland has risen by 11% since devolution, with the largest increase in local government, latest statistics have revealed.
The figures, published this week by the Scottish Executive and the Office for National Statistics, show that the public sector now accounts for 23.8% of employment, compared with 23.1% in 1999, the year of devolution.
In the second quarter of 2006, there were 585,600 people employed in the public sector and 1,873,400 in the private sector in Scotland. Public sector employment increased by 58,300 since the second quarter of 1999. The largest increase was in local government — up by 30,300.
Finance Minister Tom McCabe pointed out that the increases reflected more investment in nurses, teachers and police.
McCabe added: 'We recognise, of course, the balance which needs to be struck between the private and public sectors. That is why our top priority is growing the economy and creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes to thrive.'
PFsep2006
