December Labour Market Statistics
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 19,000, to 204,000 in the period August to October 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) …
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 19,000, to 204,000 in the period August to October 2012, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 7.6 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 fallen by 27,000 over the three months August to October 2012. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,463,000.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said:
“In tough economics times I welcome the news that unemployment fell in Scotland over the last three months and 3,100 people fewer people claim Job Seekers Allowance compared to one year ago. We are not complacent and this is why we set out a package of measures in the Autumn Statement last week to protect the economy, support growth and ensure fairness while maintaining the crucial fiscal strategy.
“As a result of these targeted growth measures, the Scottish Government will receive more than £300 million of new money - in addition to the £1 billion it has already received since the Spending Review - all of which it can invest in shovel-ready projects.
“In January, I will co-host the first Scottish Employability Forum which will bring the two Governments’ of Scotland together with the local authorities, delivery bodies and employers to find workable solutions for Scotland’s unemployed people.”
Headline Statistics for the August to October 2012 quarter:
* Employment in Scotland fell by 27,000 over the quarter, and fell by 7,000 over the year, to stand at 2,463,000.
* The Scots employment rate decreased over the quarter to 70.4 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 71.2 per cent.
* Unemployment in Scotland fell by 19,000 over the quarter and fell by 25,000 over the year. The level now stands at 204,000.
* At 7.6 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is now below the UK rate as a whole at 7.8 per cent.
* Economic Activity fell by 46,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,667,000. The Economic Activity rate decreased over the quarter to stand at 76.3 per cent.
* In November 2012, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 139,500.
Latest Data for Scotland
1. Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from August to October 2012 was 2,463,000. Employment was down by 27,000 compared to the previous three months, and was down by 7,000 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 0.7 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 70.4 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is now below the UK average.
2. Unemployment
Unemployment in Scotland was down 19,000 over the quarter August to October 2012, to 204,000. The level was down 25,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down by 0.6 p.p. on the previous quarter at 7.6 per cent, which is down 0.8 p.p. over the year.
3. Claimant Count
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), fell by 1,100 from October to 139,500 in November 2012. The level is down by 3,100 on November 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.
4. Economic Activity
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the August to October 2012 quarter was 2,667,000. This was down 46,000 on the previous quarter, and is down 32,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 76.3 per cent, down 1.6 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 1.5 p.p. over the year.