August Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
Labour Market Statistics for August 2010
Unemployment in Scotland increased to 223,000, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.4 per cent, above the UK average unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 8,000 over the previous three months. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,444,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“These disappointing figures are another undesirable reminder of the economic legacy this Government has inherited and leaves us in no doubt about the challenges ahead. Any increase in unemployment is not just a mere statistic but represents real people who pay the price for the previous government mismanaging the economy.
“The Government’s measures to achieve our priorities of tackling the record deficit and achieving balanced economic growth for all parts of the UK will encourage the necessary investment to create new jobs.
“Measures announced in our Budget will create the most competitive corporate tax system in the G20 over the next four years and Scottish businesses will be saving around £280 million because of the increase in the employers’ National Insurance Contributions threshold alone.
“The Government recognises also that access to finance is critical for businesses to survive and grow and that small and medium-sized companies face particular challenges. This is why we launched Financing a Private Sector Recovery to encourage a private sector recovery by addressing the problems businesses face accessing finance. Working with businesses and the financial community is crucial to ensure that access to finance is not a barrier for companies looking to invest and boost the growth of the economy and creating sustainable jobs.”
Headline Statistics for the April - June quarter:
Employment in Scotland increased by 8,000 over the quarter, and fell by 59,000 over the year to stand at 2,444,000.
The Scots employment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points over the quarter to 70.2 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 70.5 per cent.
Unemployment in Scotland rose by 7,000 over the quarter. The level now stands at 223,000.
At 8.4 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is higher than the UK figure of 7.8 per cent.
Economic Activity level increased by 16,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,667,000. The Economic Activity rate rose over the quarter, and stands at 76.8 per cent.
In July 2010, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) was 135,400. This represents an increase of 1,700 over the month and is the first rise after five consecutive monthly falls.
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from April - June 2010 was 2,444,000. Employment was up by 8,000 compared to the previous three months and down by 59,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate increased by 0.2 p.p. over the quarter, and fell 1.9 p.p. over the year, to 70.2 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is below the UK average.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was up 7,000 over the quarter April - June 2010, to 223,000. The level was up 34,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.2 p.p. from the previous quarter to 8.4 per cent, which is up 1.3 p.p. over the year.
Claimant Count
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), increased by 1,700 from June, to 135,400 in July 2010. The level is up by 5,200 on July 2009. The claimant count rate is up 0.1 p.p. over the month to 4.9 per cent, up 0.2 p.p. over the year.
Economic Activity
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the April - June 2010 quarter was 2,667,000. This was up 16,000 on the previous quarter, and a fall of 26,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64, the economic activity rate was 76.8 per cent, up 0.4 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 0.9 p.p. over the year.
To access the data from the ONS site, click on the following link:
Select the link “Regional Monthly Data - August 2010” which will prompt you to unzip a folder of Excel files. Then select the file “LMSScot1108” to access the data.