Fewer over-50s claiming benefits in East Renfrewshire

Recent figures show a 2% drop in the number of people in this age bracket claiming benefits compared to this time last year.

A jobcentre manager said: "We know that by targeting personal support to every jobseeker, people gain the confidence to develop their abilities and skills to re-join the workforce, or progress in their career.

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"That’s why work coaches are working hard, ensuring jobseekers know how they can benefit from the huge amount of support available.

"Specialist support also continues to be available for those aged 50 Plus, or with a health condition, so they remain connected with opportunities.”

The manager added that jobcentres are working closely with employers during the busy summer season to boost the supply of workers, especially in the hospitality sector.

Alison McGovern, minister for employment, said: "Supporting more people into work and putting more money in the pockets of working people is at the heart of our Plan for Change.

"That’s why we are transforming the way we help people into secure, well-paid jobs.

"Six months after we launched Get Britain Working, we are already seeing the benefits with economic activity at a record high, with 500,000 more people in employment since we entered office and real wages growing more since July than in the decade after 2010.

“People all over the country are benefitting from increased training opportunities and the newly launched Jobs and Careers Service will allow us to test new and innovative approaches to personalise employment support.”

Across Scotland, there are now 2.686 million people in employment, an increase of 95,000 over the past year.