June Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
The latest Labour Market Figures from the Office for National Statistics are released today.
Commenting on Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today, the Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“It is disappointing to see the Scottish labour market continuing to decline. This government’s aim is to get people back into work as quickly as possible and we will use all means at our disposal to make that happen quickly and effectively.
“The situation clearly shows the stark economic legacy we have inherited and how urgently we have to get to grips with tackling the deficit and returning the UK to financial stability. We must take tough steps but in doing so will help restore confidence in our economy and support the recovery.”
ONS labour market statistics released today show total employment in Scotland at 2,432,000, a fall of 47,000 over the previous quarter and a fall of 83,000 over the year. The Scottish employment rate stands at 71.8 per cent, and is now below that of the UK.
The claimant count measure (those people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)) fell by 1,000 over the month and rose by 9,000 over the year to a total of 134,000 for May 2010. The claimant count rate remained unchanged at 4.8 per cent.
Unemployment increased to 212,000 - an increase of 7,000 over the quarter and a 35,000 rise over the year. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.0 per cent, which is above the UK average unemployment rate of 7.9 per cent.
Economic activity fell by 40,000 over the quarter to 2,644,000, and fell by 48,000 over the year. The Scottish economic activity rate is now also below the UK average.
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from February to April 2010 was 2,432,000. Employment was down by 47,000 compared to the previous three months and down by 83,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate fell by 1.3 p.p. over the quarter, and fell 2.8 p.p. over the year, to 71.8 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is below the UK average.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was up 7,000 over the quarter February to April 2010, to 212,000. The level was up 35,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.4 p.p. from the previous quarter to 8.0 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 1,000 from April, to 134,000 in May 2010. The level is up by 9,000 on May 2009. The claimant count rate is unchanged over the month at 4.8 per cent, up 0.3 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 February to April 2010 quarter was 2,644,000. This was a fall of 40,000 on the previous quarter, and a fall of 48,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-59/64, the economic activity rate was 78.3 per cent, down 1.1 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 1.6 p.p. over the year.
Access the data from the ONS site
Select the link “Regional Monthly Data - June 2010” which will prompt you to unzip a folder of Excel files. Then select the file “LMSScot1108” to access the data.