News story

January Labour Market Statistics for Scotland

Unemployment in Scotland fell by 5,000, to 225,000 in the period September to November 2010, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Unemployment in Scotland fell by 5,000, to 225,000 in the period September to November 2010, 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 7.9 per cent.

The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 18,000 over the three months to September to November 2010. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,470,000.

The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:

“Any news of falling unemployment in Scotland is to be welcomed but these figures also show the scale of the challenge this government faces.

“Conditions for the Scottish labour market are undoubtedly  tough, despite a fall in unemployment and an increase in employment over the three months to November. The increase in the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance is an unwelcome reminder of the effects of the financial crisis we inherited.

“The Government is doing everything it can to create the conditions that enable all businesses to be thrive and create more jobs. Tackling the deficit is unavoidable and is the steps we are taking are already helping keep long-term interest rates lower and encourage businesses to invest and grow.

“Economic growth forms the basis of the Government’s agenda and the Growth Review will set out the conditions for the private sector to flourish and to create the long-lasting quality jobs. Our programme of reform and cutting corporation tax from 28 to 24 per cent over the next 4 years is part of this growth agenda and will provide the conditions that businesses need to invest in this country and new jobs.”

Headline Statistics for the September - November 2010 quarter:

  • Employment in Scotland increased by 18,000 over the quarter, and fell by 38,000 over the year to stand at 2,470,000.
  • The Scots employment rate increased by 0.4 percentage points over the quarter to 70.7 per cent. The rate is just above the UK average of 70.4 per cent.
  • Unemployment in Scotland fell by 5,000 over the quarter.  The level now stands at 225,000.
  • At 8.4 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is higher than the UK figure of 7.9 per cent.
  • Economic Activity level increased by 13,000 over the quarter and now stands at  2,695,000. The Economic Activity rate rose over the quarter, and stands at 77.3 per cent.
  • In December 2010, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) was 138,300.  This represents an increase of 2,200 over the month and is the sixth increase since the beginning of 2010.

Latest Data for Scotland

Employment

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from September - November 2010 was 2,470,000.  Employment was up by 18,000 compared to the previous three months and down by 38,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate increased by 0.4 per cent over the quarter, and fell 1.4 per cent over the year, to 70.7 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is just above the UK average.

Unemployment

Unemployment in Scotland was down 5,000 over the quarter September - November 2010, to 225,000.  The level was up 23,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 0.2 p.p. from the previous quarter to 8.4 per cent, which is up 0.9 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 2,200 from November, to 138,300 in December 2010.  The level is up by 2,400 on December 2009.  The claimant count rate is up by 0.1 percentage points over the month at 5.0 per cent, and up by 0.1 percentage points over the year.

Economic Activity

The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the September - November 2010 quarter was 2,695,000.  This was up 13,000 on the previous quarter, and down 15,000 on the same point a year ago.  Among those aged 16-64, the economic activity rate was 77.3 per cent, up 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 0.7 p.p. over the year.

To access the data from the ONS site, click on the following link:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=15084

Select the link “Regional Monthly Data - January 2011” which will prompt you to unzip a folder of Excel files. Then select the file “LMSScot0910” to access the data.

Published 19 January 2011