September Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland increased by 4,000, to 223,000 in the period May to July 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today.
Unemployment in Scotland increased by 4,000, to 223,000 in the period May to July 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 8.2 per cent, which is just above the average of 8.1 per cent for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has increased by 4,000 over the three months May to July 2012. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,490,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“These figures show the scale of the challenge we face in these difficult economic conditions. Any fall in the number of people working in Scotland is a serious issue and has a critical impact on the households and individuals affected. That is why we are taking decisive steps to get the economy back into growth and people into work. Creating new employment is something which needs the full focus of both of Scotland’s governments and we must work together to achieve it.
“The UK Government is doing its part to deliver a stable economy and reduce the deficit. We are helping businesses create jobs by simplifying the business environment and reforming the tax system. We are also reducing public borrowing and maintain investor confidence while lowering corporation tax and keeping interest rates low while we rebalance the economy and get lending to business moving.”
- Employment in Scotland rose by 4,000 over the quarter, and remained unchanged over the year, to stand at 2,490,000.
- The Scots employment rate rose over the quarter to 71.4 per cent. The rate is just above the UK average of 71.2 per cent.
- Unemployment in Scotland increased by 4,000 over the quarter and rose by 16,000 over the year. The level now stands at 223,000.
- At 8.2 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is now just above the UK rate as a whole at 8.1%.
- Economic Activity rose by 8,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,713,000. The Economic Activity rate increased over the quarter to stand at 77.9 per cent.
- In August 2012, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 141,900.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from May to July 2012 was 2,490,000. Employment was up by 4,000 compared to the previous three months, and remained unchanged compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was up on the previous quarter by 0.1 per cent, and it was down by 0.1 per cent compared to the same quarter last year, at 71.4 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is just above the UK average.
Unemployment in Scotland was up 4,000 over the quarter May to July 2012, to 223,000. The level was up 16,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up by 0.1 p.p. on the previous quarter at 8.2 per cent, which is up 0.6 p.p. over the year.
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), fell by 600 from July to 141,900 in August 2012. The level is down by 2,800 on August 2011. The claimant count rate remained unchanged over the month at 5.2 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 May to July 2012 quarter was 2,713,000. This was up 8,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 16,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.9 per cent, up 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 0.3 p.p. over the year.