July Labour Market Statistics for July
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 11,000, to 205,000 in the period March to May 2011, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 7.6 per cent, just below the UK average of 7.7 per cent.
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 11,000, to 205,000 in the period March to May 2011, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 7.6 per cent, just below the UK average of 7.7 per cent.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 20,000 over the three months to March - May 2011. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,498,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“I welcome the news that unemployment in Scotland has fallen and employment increased during the three months to May. Since last autumn the Scottish jobless figures have been heading in the right direction and this is encouraging.
“The UK Government is continuing to work hard to set the right conditions to put the country on a path to long term sustainable growth. However, I recognise that challenges remain and the Government’s priority is to continue to support the economy by reducing the deficit and putting in place measures to encourage growth in the private sector. The Government’s Growth Review continues for the rest of this Parliament, to provide an ongoing focus on what the Government can do to support growth.
“We have identified trade as one of the area that will help us to rebalance the economy. This is why we would like to see more small and medium sized Scottish companies trading overseas, as this is vital for Scotland’s economy and creating long lasting jobs. For this reason we have created a new Scottish trade group which will support our aim to increase exports from Scotland.”
Headline Statistics for the March to May 2011 quarter:
- Employment in Scotland increased by 20,000 over the quarter, and increased by 55,000 over the year to stand at 2,498,000.
- The Scots employment rate is up 0.6% over the quarter at 71.7 per cent. The rate is above the UK average of 70.7 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland fell by 11,000 over the quarter. The level now stands at 205,000.
- At 7.6 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is below that for the whole of the UK, which is 7.7%.
- Economic Activity level increased by 9,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,703,000. The Economic Activity rate increased by 0.3 per cent over the quarter, and stands at 77.7 per cent.
- In June 2011, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) was 141,300. This represents an increase of 1,500 over the month.
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from March to May 2011 was 2,498,000. Employment was up by 20,000 compared to the previous three months, and up by 55,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate was up on the previous quarter by 0.6 per cent, and increased 1.5 per cent over the year, to 71.7 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was down 11,000 over the quarter March to May 2011, to 205,000. The level was down 14,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 0.4p.p. from the previous quarter to 7.6 per cent, which is down 0.7p.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 1,500 from May to 141,300 in June 2011. The level is up by 7,500 on June 2010. The claimant count rate is up by 0.1p.p. over the month at 5.3 per cent, and up by 0.3 p.p. over the year.
Economic Activity
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the March to May 2011 quarter was 2,703,000. This was up 9,000 on the previous quarter, and up 41,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.7 per cent, up 0.3 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 1.1 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 - July 2011” which will prompt you to unzip a folder of Excel files. Then select the file “LMSScot0910” to access the data.