August Labour Market Statistics for Scotland
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 1,000, to 198,000 in the period April to June 2013, according to ONS data released today.
The Office for National Statstics data showed that the Scottish unemployment rate is 7.2 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 13,000 over the three months April to June 2013. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,531,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“The latest labour market figures for Scotland are encouraging news. I welcome the rise in employment of 13,000 over the last quarter and the fall in unemployment over the same period as well as a decrease in the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for the ninth consecutive month. It means 12,900 fewer people are claiming unemployment benefit compared to one year ago.
“We are seeing some positive signs in our economy’s recovery but it is important we keep focusing on creating the best conditions for growth and jobs. Investment is a key way to stimulate the labour market and we must use Scotland’s capital spending power increase to £3.3bn in the last Spending Round to best effect.
“Next month I will meet all those involved in the Scottish Employability Forum to build on our collective efforts to get people in Scotland back into jobs.”
Headline Statistics for the April to June 2013 quarter:
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Employment in Scotland increased by 13,000 over the quarter, and increased by 31,000 over the year, to stand at 2,531,000.
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The Scots employment rate increased over the quarter to 72.1 per cent. The rate is above the UK average of 71.5 per cent.
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Unemployment in Scotland fell by 1,000 over the quarter and fell by 17,000 over the year. The level now stands at 198,000.
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At 7.2 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is below the UK rate as a whole at 7.8 per cent.
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Economic Activity increased by 12,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,728,000. The Economic Activity rate increased over the quarter to stand at 77.9 per cent.
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In July 2013, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 129,300.
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from April to June 2013 was 2,531,000. Employment was up by 13,000 compared to the previous three months, and was up by 31,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was up on the previous quarter by 0.3 p.p., and it was up by 0.5 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 72.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was down 1,000 over the quarter April to June 2013, to 198,000. The level was down 17,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down by 0.1 p.p. on the previous quarter at 7.2 per cent, which is down 0.7 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 2,900 from June to 129,300 in July 2013. The level is down by 12,600 on July 2012. The claimant count rate is down 0.1 p.p. over the month at 4.6 per cent, and is down 0.4 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 April to June 2013 quarter was 2,728,000. This was up 12,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 14,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 77.9 per cent, up 0.3 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 0.1 p.p. over the year.