Published: Saturday, 19th June, 2010 12:00pm

29 people chasing every job in Inverclyde

TWENTY-NINE people are chasing every job vacancy in Inverclyde — the second highest rate in Scotland.

Latest figures released by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) compare the numbers of people claiming Jobseekers' allowance to the number of vacancies.

They show there were only 88 vacancies at Inverclyde's Jobcentre Plus — but 2,578 registered dole claimants.

Inverclyde was just behind the highest number of 30 pursuing every vacancy in East Renfrewshire, where there were 47 jobs available for 1,422 claimants.

STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said the figures show that, for many people, finding work is already an uphill battle.

And Inverclyde MP David Cairns said they highlight the need to help people find work.

Mr Cairns, pictured, said: "Although unemployment has fallen in the last month, it's still too high. That's why I'm very angry that the Tory and Liberal Government is cutting the Future Jobs Fund.

"More than 200 local youngsters have already found work through this scheme and another 280 are on track for a job between now and March 2011. After that the funding stops, and I think it's appalling that the Government is cutting support for young people looking for work at a time when the economy is still fragile."

He added: "These cuts will rob the next generation of a chance to get a job and condemn many of them to a life on the dole."

West of Scotland MSP Stuart McMillan said the Scottish Government continued to invest in Scotland's future by creating an extra 5,000 apprenticeship places announced last week.

He said: "Alongside this, a package of support for the increased number of young people expected to leave school was announced. This will see new entrepreneurial training opportunities and graduate placements over the next three years.

"These measures will help people in Scotland find employment. Therefore, it's vital any cuts from the UK Government are deferred for Scotland to allow the economy to recover."

STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said it would be 'irresponsible' if Tuesday's emergency budget makes public spending cuts.

He said: "It would also be counter-productive on the Chancellor's own terms, with spending cuts likely to increase the deficit as wages and demand fall, taxation revenues decrease and social spending rises."