July Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000, to 215,000 in the period March to May 2012, according to official figures released today.
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000, to 215,000 in the period March to May 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.0 per cent, which is just below the average of 8.1 per cent for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 9,000 over the three months to March to May 2012. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,493,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“In view of great international economic uncertainty it is welcome news that Scottish employment is increasing and that unemployment fell for the fourth consecutive month of reporting.
“The increase in people claiming Job Seekers Allowance is a reminder that the challenges in the economy remain huge. With the Work Programme in place we now have a system for tracking people on their way to long term meaningful employment. The unemployed are no longer concealed on training allowances or on other benefits.
“This month I have met with Scottish Government, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, Scottish employers and the Department for Work and Pensions and stressed the importance of a ‘Team Scotland’ approach to tackling unemployment. Despite the difficult financial climate we continue to work hard to bring about the right economic conditions for growth in Scotland and the UK.
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Employment in Scotland rose by 9,000 over the quarter, and fell by 5,000 over the year, to stand at 2,493,000.
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The Scots employment rate rose over the quarter to 71.4 per cent. The rate is above the UK average of 70.7 per cent.
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Unemployment in Scotland decreased by 4,000 over the quarter and rose by 10,000 over the year. The level now stands at 215,000.
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At 8.0 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is now just below the UK rate as a whole at 8.1%.
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Economic Activity rose by 5,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,708,000. The Economic Activity rate remained unchanged over the quarter at 77.7 per cent.
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In June 2012, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 144,100.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from March to May 2012 was 2,493,000. Employment was up by 9,000 compared to the previous three months, and fell by 5,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was up on the previous quarter by 0.1 per cent, and it was down by 0.3 per cent compared to the same quarter last year, at 71.4 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.
Unemployment in Scotland was down 4,000 over the quarter March to May 2012, to 215,000. The level was up 10,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down by 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter at 8.0 per cent, which is up 0.4 p.p. over the year.
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), increased by 1,300 from May to 144,100 in June 2012. The level is up by 2,600 on June 2011. The claimant count rate remained unchanged over the month at 5.2 per cent, and up by 0.1 p.p. over the year.
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the March to May 2012 quarter was 2,708,000. This was up 5,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 5,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.7 per cent, unchanged on the previous quarter, and also unchanged over the year.