Retail jobs in Scotland at lowest level since 2010

Ministers have been urged to do more to support Scotland’s struggling high streets after new research revealed more than 10,000 industry jobs have been lost in a year.

The data, based on the Scottish government’s Business in Scotland report, showed that retail posts in Scotland are at their lowest levels since at least 2010.

It found there were 235,920 retail jobs recorded this year — down from 246,270 last year and 258,900 in 2010.

Scottish Labour has criticised the Scottish government for not extending rates relief to the retail industry.

During her budget earlier this month, the finance secretary Shona Robison announced a 40 per cent rates relief for the hospitality sector.

Labour has called on her to match England and extend that tax