October Labour Market Statistics For Scotland 2016
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 25,000 in the period June to August 2016, and now stands at 127,000 according to data released today.
The Office for National Statistics has today released data showing that the Scottish unemployment rate is 4.6 per cent, which is below the rate of 4.9 per cent for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show that employment in Scotland fell by 8,000 over the three months to August 2016. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,618,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said:
“I am pleased to see that unemployment is falling again in Scotland, and it is now at its lowest level since 2008. But it is worrying that employment is down and more people are dropping out of the labour market in Scotland when the rest of the UK is seeing employment up.
“The levers to shape the Scottish economy are there for the Scottish government to pull. They need to start focusing on the day job and how they can use their new powers to support the Scottish economy.
“Because these are not just statistics – behind the fall in employment and rise in economic inactivity are thousands of people in Scotland who deserve the security and opportunity that a job brings.”
Headline statistics for the June to August 2016 quarter:
- Employment in Scotland fell by 8,000 over the quarter, and increased by 7,000 over the year, to stand at 2,618,000.
- The Scots employment rate fell by 0.1 p.p. over the quarter to 74.0 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 74.5 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland fell by 25,000 over the quarter and is down 44,000 over the year. The level now stands at 127,000.
- At 4.6 per cent, the Scottish unemployment rate is now below the UK’s rate of 4.9 per cent.
- Economic activity fell by 32,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,745,000. Also, the economic activity rate decreased over the year to stand at 77.7 per cent.
- In September 2016, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance was 55,000 and claimant count, including Universal Credit was 81,900.
Latest Data for Scotland:
Employment
The Labour Force Survey indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from June to August 2016 was 2,618,000. Employment was down by 8,000 compared to the previous three months, and rose by 7,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was down 0.1 percentage points on the previous quarter, and increased by 0.2 compared the same quarter last year. By comparison, the Scottish employment rate is below the UK average of 74.5 per cent.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was down by 25,000 over the quarter June to August 2016 at 127,000. The level was down 44,000 on the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 0.8 percentage point on the previous quarter at 4.6 per cent, which is down 1.5 percentage points over the year.
Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit
The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) increased by 600 to 55,000 in September 2016. The level is down by 15,500 on September 2015. The claimant count level (JSA and Universal Credit) is up 3,200 over the month at 81,900 and the rate is up by 0.1 p.p. over the month and the year to 2.9 per cent.
Economic Activity
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the June to August 2016 quarter was 2,745,000. This was down 32,000 on the previous quarter, and by 37,000 on prior year levels. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.7 per cent, down 0.8 percentage points on the previous quarter, and down 1.0 percentage points over the year.
Last updated 16 September 2020 + show all updates
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