Yesterday the Bank of Scotland Purchase Manager Index monitor was published. It found that the number of new jobs being created in Scotland "stalled" in the past three months and that the number of new business start ups was at its lowest for six months.
The drop in Scottish job creation is worrying given it comes at a time when normally expect to see an increase in jobs due to seasonal upturns.
The downturn in the number of new jobs is particularly concerning as it comes as our young people are leaving school, college and university and are looking for work. With youth unemployment remaining stubbornly high this downturn will undoubtedly hit young people hardest.
The SNP administration of the City Council must ensure that our school leavers are better qualified and have the job skills to confidently enter the job market.
The SNP government in Edinburgh must redouble its efforts to stimulate growth and create jobs to ensure the strong levels of growth and employment we all want to see.