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The number of unemployed hit 1.97 million in the U.K., according to the Office for National Statistics. 137,000 are unemployed in Scottland, and 101,000 of those claimed benefits in January. The government has responded to the numbers by insisting it is doing everything it can ? assuring workers that officials ?are determined not to leave anyone behind?. Unemployment is at its highest level since 1997, and the government is focusing extra attention on preventing the newly unemployed from becoming unemployed for the long term as a result of the global recession. Scottish officials noted that while severe, the numbers are still better than U.K. averages. However, falling demand, and the credit freeze are likely to force jobless levels even higher this year.