OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2016. The Scottish unemployment rate is 6.2 per cent, which is above the rate of 5.1 per cent for the whole of the UK, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today.

The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland fell by 21,000 over the three months December 2015 to February 2016. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,610,000.

Headline statistics for the December 2015 to February 2016 quarter:

  • Employment in Scotland fell by 21,000 over the quarter, and by 5,000 over the year, to stand at 2,610,000.

  • The Scots employment rate decreased over the quarter at 73.9 per cent. The rate is below the UK average of 74.1 per cent.

  • Unemployment in Scotland rose by 20,000 over the quarter and is up 4,000 over the year. The level now stands at 171,000.

  • At 6.2 per cent, the Scottish unemployment rate is above the UK’s rate of 5.1 per cent.

  • Economic activity fell by 1,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,781,000. Also, the economic activity rate decreased over the year to stand at 78.9 per cent.

  • In March 2016, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance was 57,500 and claimant count, including Universal Credit was 71,400.

Latest Data for Scotland

Employment

The Labour Force Survey indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from December 2015 to February 2016 was 2,610,000. Employment was down by 21,000 compared to the previous three months, and fell by 5,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was down 1.0 p.p. on the previous quarter, and fell by 0.3 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 73.9 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate fell below the UK average of 74.1 per cent.

Unemployment

Unemployment in Scotland was up by 20,000 over the quarter December 2015 to February 2016 at 171,000. The level was up 4,000 on the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.7 p.p. on the previous quarter at 6.2 per cent, which is up 0.1 p.p. over the year.

Jobseeker’s Allowance and Universal Credit

The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), decreased by 600 from February to 57,500 in March 2016. The level is down by 21,100 on March 2015. The claimant count level (JSA and Universal Credit) is up 200 over the month at 71,400 and the rate is unchanged over the month at 2.5 per cent, which is down -0.3 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 December 2015 to February 2016 quarter was 2,781,000. This was down 1,000 on the previous quarter, and by 1,000 on prior year levels. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 78.9 per cent, down 0.5 p.p. on the previous quarter, and down 0.1 p.p. over the year.