November Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland increased by 4,000, to 218,000 in the period July to September 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.1 per cent, which is above the average of 7.8 per cent for the whole of the UK.
Unemployment in Scotland increased by 4,000, to 218,000 in the period July to September 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.1 per cent, which is above the average of 7.8 per cent for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has fallen by 27,000 over the three months July to September 2012. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,472,000.
The Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said:
“The UK Government has taken decisive steps to stabilise our economy and has secured the UK as a relative safe haven while maintaining market confidence. We are also investing in Scotland - from energy infrastructure through DECC, broadband for rural areas, enhanced capital allowances, manufacturing research at Scottish universities and Royal Navy ships, to measures to stimulate millions in new investment for the North sea oil and gas fields.
“It is a cause for obvious concern that the latest Scottish figures show another increase in unemployment while it is falling in the rest ‘of the UK. The fact the Scottish unemployment rate is also higher than the rest of the country shows why Scotland’ two governments need to work together for the benefit of Scotland.
“Today’s figures are a reminder we must redouble our efforts to rebalance the economy and get people back into sustainable jobs. Each one of these statistics represents a person or a family affected by serious economic conditions across the globe and we must do all we can to help them.”
The Government is also supporting people in Scotland through the £1bn Youth Contract and the Get Britain Working measures which includes work clubs, supporting people into volunteering and work experience, enterprise clubs and the New Enterprise Allowance.
The UK Government has today announced that from 2013, the Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore will jointly chair the Scottish Employability Forum alongside the Scottish Government’ Finance Secretary John Swinney and the COSLA spokesperson for Health & Wellbeing, Cllr. Harry McGuigan. The joint Forum will bring together government; employment delivery bodies; external organisations and employers to focus on the continuing challenges of unemployment in Scotland.
- Employment in Scotland fell by 27,000 over the quarter, and fell by 4,000 over the year, to stand at 2,472,000.
- The Scots employment rate decreased over the quarter to 70.6 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 71.2 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland increased by 4,000 over the quarter and rose by 3,000 over the year. The level now stands at 218,000.
- At 8.1 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is now above the UK rate as a whole at 7.8 per cent.
- Economic Activity fell by 24,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,690,000. The Economic Activity rate decreased over the quarter to stand at 77.0 per cent.
- In October 2012, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’sllowance (JSA) was 140,700.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from July to September 2012 was 2,472,000. Employment was down by 27,000 compared to the previous three months, and was down by 4,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was down on the previous quarter by 1.0 p.p., and it was down by 0.5 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 70.6 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is now below the UK average.
Unemployment in Scotland was up 4,000 over the quarter July to September 2012, to 218,000. The level was up 3,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up by 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter at 8.1 per cent, which is up 0.1 p.p. over the year.
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), rose by 100 from September to 140,700 in October 2012. The level is down by 2,500 on October 2011. The claimant count rate remained unchanged over the month at 5.1 per cent, and is down 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 July to September 2012 quarter was 2,690,000. This was down 24,000 on the previous quarter, and is down 1,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.0 per cent, down 0.9 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 0.5 p.p. over the year.