June Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 14,000, to 220,000 in the period February to April 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today.
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 14,000, to 220,000 in the period February to April 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.2 per cent, which is equal to the average for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 18,000 over the three months to February to April 2012. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,481,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“Any rise in employment in Scotland is to be welcomed. These figures show the third consecutive month of reporting an increase in those finding work. That is both good news for those getting into paid work and for our economy.
“The Scottish labour market is showing signs of resilience but there is no room for complacency as we work towards securing growth and creating further jobs.
“Scotland and the UK continue to face significant international challenges and that underlines our need to remain on course with our current economic strategy. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure labour market conditions improve further and get more people back into work.
“Reducing youth unemployment remains a key focus for the UK Government and the issue will be on the agenda for the meeting of the British Irish Council in Scotland later this week.”
- Employment in Scotland rose by 18,000 over the quarter, and rose by 7,000 over the year, to stand at 2,481,000.
- The Scots employment rate rose over the quarter to 71.1 per cent. The rate is above the UK average of 70.6 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland decreased by 14,000 over the quarter and rose by 14,000 over the year. The level now stands at 220,000.
- At 8.2 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is now equal to the UK rate as a whole.
- Economic Activity rose by 4,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,701,000. The Economic Activity rate fell by 0.1 per cent over the quarter to 77.6 per cent.
- In May 2012, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 142,600.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from February to April 2012 was 2,481,000. Employment was up by 18,000 compared to the previous three months, and increased by 7,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was up on the previous quarter by 0.3 per cent, and it was up by 0.2 per cent compared to the same quarter last year, at 71.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.
Unemployment in Scotland was down 14,000 over the quarter February to April 2012, to 220,000. The level was up 14,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down by 0.5 p.p. on the previous quarter at 8.2 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 400 from April to 142,600 in May 2012. The level is up by 2,500 on May 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 February to April 2012 quarter was 2,701,000. This was up 4,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 21,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.6 per cent, down 0.1 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 0.6 p.p. over the year.