16 May 2007
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today show new highest levels and rates of both employment and economic activity being recorded in the Scottish labour market since records began in 1992.
The number of people in work in Scotland in the three months to March 2007 reached a new high of 2,530,000 with an increase of 23,000 over the quarter and 68,000 over the year. At 76.6 per cent the Scottish employment rate also reached a new historic high, and continues to be above that of the UK and almost all countries within the EU.
On the ILO (International Labour Organisation) measure, unemployment fell by 7,000 over the previous three months, and fell by 7,000 over the year. The Scottish unemployment rate also fell over the previous quarter to 4.9%.
Economic activity increased by 16,000 over the previous 3 months, and 61,000 over the year to record a new high of 2,662,000. The economic activity rate of 80.7% also sets a new record high.
The claimant count measure (those people out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)) fell by 1,100 over the month and 8,900 over the year to 79,400 for April 2007. The claimant count rate remains at 3.0 per cent.
Commenting on the ONS figures, Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander said:
"I welcome today's figures showing employment rising to a new record level and unemployment falling. With economic activity also rising to a new record high, the Scottish labour market is in an exceptionally strong position.
"The macroeconomic stability and reforms to the welfare state delivered by this Government have led to more Scots looking for work and more Scots taking up jobs than ever before. We are delivering on our commitment to provide work opportunities for all."
Latest Data for Scotland
Employment
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland in January - March 2007 was 2,530,000. Employment was 23,000 higher compared with the previous three months and 68,000 higher compared to the same period last year. The employment rate amongst those of working age was up 0.6 percentage points over the quarter and up 1.4 percentage points over the year, to 76.6 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
ILO unemployment in Scotland was down by 7,000 over the quarter January - March 2007 to 132,000. The level was 7,000 lower compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down 0.3 percentage points over the previous quarter to 4.9 per cent, and is down 0.4 percentage points over the year.
Claimant Count Unemployment
The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA), fell by 1,100 in the month of April to 79,400. The level is down by 8,900 on April 2006. The claimant count rate was unchanged over the month and down 0.3 percentage points over the year to 3.0%.
Economic Activity
The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the January - March 2007 quarter was 2,662,000. This is 16,000 higher than the previous quarter, and 61,000 higher than at the same time in 2006. Among those aged 16-59/64, the economic activity rate was 80.7 per cent - up by 0.3 percentage points on the previous quarter, and up 1.1 percentage points over the year.
NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS
1. The internationally comparable International Labour Organisation (ILO) measure of unemployment is the headline figure published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for UK regions/countries.
2. The ILO measure of unemployment, which is derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), is published 12 times a year for an average of the three preceding consecutive months. ONS recommend that seasonally adjusted data should be compared with the previous non-overlapping three-month period: i.e. January - March data should be compared with October - December data. Quarter to quarter changes at country/regional level are especially subject to sampling variability and should be interpreted in the context of changes over several quarters.
3. The count of those claiming unemployment-related benefits continues to provide a full and timely range of data at sub-Scotland level for local authorities, Travel to Work Areas (TTWAs) and parliamentary constituencies. The claimant count is also the main source of information on unemployment by age and duration. Data on the claimant count in the New Deal age and duration groups is available from 1985.
4. The ILO measure of unemployment defines unemployed people as those who are; without a job, want a job, have actively sought work in the last four weeks and are available to start work in the next two weeks or; out of work, have a found a job and are waiting to start in the next two months. The claimant count measures the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance benefits. The claimant count measure is always the lower measure because some unemployed people are not entitled to claim benefits, or choose not to do so.
5. Economic activity is a measure of those who are in employment plus those who are unemployed but are available to enter the labour market (ILO unemployed). Conversely, the economically inactive are those people who are not in employment, but do not fulfil all the ILO criteria to be classified as unemployed. The most common reasons given for inactivity are being a student, being retired, looking after a family or home and being long-term sick or disabled.
We have included a link to a PDF file which can be downloaded from the Office of National Statistics website at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/lmsscot0507.pdf