ANGUS MP Mike Weir has demanded the Prime Minister personally intervene in a JobCentre work experience storm.
Mike Weir wants David Cameron to “take action” on reports that some JobCentre managers were putting pressure on employers to convert paid vacancies into workplace experience placements, to meet targets set by the Department of Work and Pensions.
He said: “On the day that unemployment figures showed that unemployment in Scotland had fallen to the lowest levels in four years and, encouragingly, youth unemployment had also fallen, it is scandalous to hear that a Westminster Government department is apparently seeking to undermine real jobs.
“Work experience placements are meant to give those who have not worked for a lengthy period experience of working, not create cheap alternatives to real jobs which employers wanted to fill just so arbitrary targets can be met.
“Whilst I was pleased the Prime Minister appeared to accept the seriousness of the issue I was disappointed he did not undertake to ensure that the practice was immediately stopped.
“He should do so as a matter of urgency. ”
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 19,000 to 204,000 over the latest three-month period, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
The Scottish unemployment rate now stands at 7.6%, below the UK average of 7.8%.
However, the labour market statistics also showed employment in Scotland fell by 27,000 over the same quarter from August to October.
The number of those in employment now stands at 2,463,000.
Mr Weir said that while a fall in Scottish unemployment was welcome, no one could afford to be complacent.
He added: “The falls in overall unemployment and youth unemployment are very encouraging but we should not be complacent as the general economic situation is still worrying, with even the business secretary at Westminster warning of the danger of a triple-dip recession.”