March Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
In November 2012 to January 2013, unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000, to 200,000 according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000, to 200,000 in the period November 2012 to January 2013, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 7.4 per cent, which is below the average of 7.8 per cent for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 19,000 over the three months November 2012 to January 2013. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,483,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“The rise in Scottish employment is good news for people in Scotland and their families and provides further optimism in our economy’s ability to weather the global challenges it faces.
“This government will continue to ensure helping people into sustainable, long-term opportunities is a priority.
“We are determined to rebalance our economy and create stability, which is the key to creating jobs across Scotland in future.
“The policies we have put in place are geared towards growth. Our Youth Contract, Get Britain Working scheme and our work to tackle youth unemployment all underpin those efforts and today’s figures show they are working.
“This is an issue both Scotland’s governments must address together.”
Headline Statistics for the November 2012 to January 2013 quarter:
- Employment in Scotland increased by 19,000 over the quarter, and increased by 17,000 over the year, to stand at 2,483,000.
- The Scots employment rate increased over the quarter to 71.1 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 71.5 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland fell by 4,000 over the quarter and fell by 32,000 over the year. The level now stands at 200,000.
- At 7.4 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is now below the UK rate as a whole at 7.8 per cent.
- Economic Activity increased by 15,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,683,000. The Economic Activity rate decreased over the quarter to stand at 77.0 per cent.
- In February 2013, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 137,700.
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from November 2012 to January 2013 was 2,483,000. Employment was up by 19,000 compared to the previous three months, and was up by 17,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was up on the previous quarter by 0.7 p.p., and it was up by 0.2 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 71.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is below the UK average.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was down 4,000 over the quarter November 2012 to January 2013, to 200,000. The level was down 32,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down by 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter at 7.4 per cent, which is down 1.1 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), increased by 300 from January to 137,700 in February 2013. The level is down by 5,200 on February 2012. The claimant count rate is unchanged over the month at 5.0 per cent, and is down 0.2 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 November 2012 to January 2013 quarter was 2,683,000. This was up 15,000 on the previous quarter, and is down 15,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.0 per cent, up 0.7 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 0.7 p.p. over the year.