July Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
The Office for National Statistics have released the July Labour Market Statistics
Employment in Scotland has fallen by 9,000 over the previous three months, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,443,000.
The labour market statistics also show unemployment in Scotland increased to 216,000. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.1 per cent, above the UK average unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“Each rise in unemployment is serious and shows the scale of the challenge we face in getting the economy back to health. There is no doubt Scotland’s governments must work together to do everything we can to help those who have lost their jobs back into work as quickly as possible.
“These figures show the real human cost of the economic legacy the Government has inherited. Our Budget will tackle the record deficit and help us achieve balanced economic growth across the UK. These measures will keep interest rates lower for longer and encourage investment, both of which are important for the creation of new jobs.
“The Government is committed to supporting private sector job creation by increasing the employers’ National Insurance Contributions threshold and creating the most competitive corporate tax system in the G20 over the next four years. Scottish businesses will be saving around £280 million because of the increase in the employers’ National Insurance Contributions threshold alone and we are also ensuring the flow of credit to viable SMEs.”
Headline Statistics for the March - May quarter:
- Employment in Scotland fell by 9,000 over the quarter, and fell by 65,000 over the year to stand at 2,443,000.
- The Scots employment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points over the quarter to 72.1 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 72.3 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland rose by 8,000 over the quarter. The level now stands at 216,000.
- At 8.1 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is higher than the UK figure of 7.8 per cent.
- Economic Activity level remained unchanged over the quarter and now stands at 2,660,000. The Economic Activity rate fell over the quarter, and stands at 78.8 per cent.
- In June 2010, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) was 133,200. This represents a decrease of 600 over the month and is the fifth consecutive monthly fall.
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from March to May 2010 was 2,443,000. Employment was down by 9,000 compared to the previous three months and down by 65,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate fell by 0.4 p.p. over the quarter, and fell 2.3 p.p. over the year, to 72.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is below the UK average.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was up 8,000 over the quarter March to May 2010, to 216,000. The level was up 35,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.3 p.p. from the previous quarter to 8.1 per cent, which is up 1.4 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), fell by 600 from May, to 133,200 in June 2010. The level is up by 5,500 on June 2009. The claimant count rate is unchanged over the month at 4.8 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 March to May 2010 quarter was 2,660,000. This was unchanged on the previous quarter, and a fall of 30,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-59/64, the economic activity rate was 78.8 per cent, down 0.1 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 1.1 p.p. over the year.
To access the data from the ONS site, click on the following link:July Labour Market Statistics
Select the link “Regional Monthly Data - July 2010” which will prompt you to unzip a folder of Excel files. Then select the file “LMSScot1108” to access the data.