December Labour Market Statistics for Scotland / Murphy announces 300 more new jobs for young Scots out of work

16 December 2009

Commenting on Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today, the Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said:

"As the country moves out of recession there are some positive economic signs around, but that will be little comfort for anyone who has just lost their job.

"We will have to roll up our sleeves in the New Year and work even harder to get people back into work. We've made it very clear that we're not prepared to lose anyone to long-term unemployment and we will continue to provide help wherever it is most needed.

"That's why we extended our guarantee of support for young people in the Pre-Budget Report; that's why we set out welfare reform proposals yesterday to provide more support for the over-50s, and to ensure that people will be better off in work than on benefits; and that's why we are announcing 300 more jobs for young Scots today."

Jim Murphy also announced that 300 more new jobs for the young and long-term unemployed are to be created across Scotland from this month through the Future Jobs Fund. This brings the total number of new posts funded by the UK Government to more than 7,000 since the scheme launched in July.

Five more organisations applying for funding for jobs in Scotland have been successful in the current bidding round, meaning 190 new jobs will be created immediately, with the potential for this to increase to 315 by 2011. The jobs will be community-focused, and will be in Aberdeenshire, Stranraer, the Highlands, South Ayrshire and West Lothian.

The ONS labour market statistics released today show total employment in Scotland at 2,516,000, an increase of 18,000 over the previous quarter and a fall of 38,000 over the year. The Scottish employment rate stands at 74.2 per cent, and continues to be above that of the UK and almost all countries within the EU.

The claimant count measure (those people out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)) increased by 1,300 over the month and by 42,400 over the year to a total of 136,000 for November 2009. The claimant count rate remained unchanged at 4.9 per cent.

Unemployment fell to 187,000 - a fall of 2,000 over the quarter and a 52,000 rise over the year. The Scottish unemployment rate is 6.9 per cent, which remains below the UK average unemployment rate of 7.9 per cent.

Economic activity increased by 17,000 over the quarter to 2,704,000, and increased by 15,000 over the year. The Scottish economic activity rate remains above the UK average.

Latest Data for Scotland

Employment

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from August to October 2009 was 2,516,000.� Employment was up by 18,000 compared to the previous three months and down by 38,000 compared to the same period last year. The employment rate increased by 0.5�p.p. over the quarter, and fell 1.9 p.p. over the year, to 74.2�per cent. In international terms, the Scottish employment rate remains above the UK average and the corresponding rate for the majority of other EU countries.

Unemployment�

Unemployment in Scotland was down 2,000 over the quarter August to October 2009, to 187,000.� The level was up 52,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 0.1 p.p. from the previous quarter to 6.9 per cent, which is up 1.9 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), increased by 1,300 from October, to 136,000.� The level is up by 42,400 on November 2008.� The claimant count rate is unchanged over the month at 4.9 per cent, up 1.5 p.p. over the year.

Economic Activity

The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the August to October 2009 quarter was 2,704,000.� This was an increase of 17,000 on the previous quarter, and an increase of 15,000 on the same point a year ago.� Among those aged 16-59/64, the economic activity rate was 79.9 per cent, up 0.4 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 0.3 p.p. over the year.

To access the data from the ONS site, click on the following link:

Link opens in new window http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=15084