August Labour Market Statistics for Scotland 2016
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 26,000 in the period April to June 2016, and now stands at 143,000, according to data released today.
According to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Scottish unemployment rate is 5.2 per cent, which is above the rate of 4.9 per cent for the whole of the UK.
The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland increased by 51,000 over the three months April to June 2016. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,629,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said:
I welcome today’s positive figures showing a record increase in the number of people in Scotland in work, and the number of people out of work at its lowest since 2009.
While we cannot be complacent as we enter a period of adjustment, today’s figures show that we enter the EU negotiations from a position of strength. Our continued priority must still be to work closely with the Scottish Government as ‘team UK’ to promote economic growth and prosperity.
Headline statistics for the April to June 2016 quarter:
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Employment in Scotland increased by 51,000 over the quarter, and by 14,000 over the year, to stand at 2,629,000.
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The Scots employment rate increased over the quarter at 74.1 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 74.5 per cent.
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Unemployment in Scotland fell by 26,000 over the quarter and is down 12,000 over the year. The level now stands at 143,000.
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At 5.2 per cent, the Scottish unemployment rate is above the UK’s rate of 4.9 per cent.
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Economic activity increased by 24,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,772,000. Also, the economic activity rate decreased over the year to stand at 78.3 per cent.
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In July 2016, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance was 53,400 and claimant count, including Universal Credit was 75,700.
Latest Data for Scotland:
Employment
The Labour Force Survey indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from April to June 2016 was 2,629,000. Employment was up by 51,000 compared to the previous three months, and rose by 14,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was up 1.0 percentage point on the previous quarter, and remained unchanged compared to the same quarter last year, at 74.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is below the UK average of 74.5 per cent.
Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was down by 26,000 over the quarter April to June 2016 at 143,000. The level was down 12,000 on the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 1.0 percentage point on the previous quarter at 5.2 per cent, which is down 0.4 percentage points over the year.
Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit
The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), decreased by 2,300 from June to 53,400 in July 2016. The level is down by 18,700 on July 2015. The claimant count level (JSA and Universal Credit) is down 400 over the month at 75,700 and the rate is unchanged over the month at 2.7 per cent, which is down 0.1 percentage points 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 2016 quarter was 2,772,000. This was up 24,000 on the previous quarter, and up by 2,000 on prior year levels. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 78.3 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points on the previous quarter, and down 0.4 percentage points over the year.
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Last updated 16 September 2020 + show all updates
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