OREANDA-NEWS. The Scottish unemployment rate is 5.6%, which is exactly the same rate as for the whole of the UK.

The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland decreased by 11,000 over the three months April to June.

The headlines statistics for the April to June quarter are:

  • Employment in Scotland fell by 11,000 over the quarter and increased by 28,000 over the year, to stand at 2,611,000.

  • The Scots employment rate decreased over the quarter at 74.1%. The rate is above the UK average of 73.4%.

  • Unemployment in Scotland fell by 13,000 over the quarter and fell by 19,000 over the year. The level now stands at 155,000.

  • At 5.6%, the Scots unemployment rate is the same rate as for the UK as a whole.

  • Economic Activity fell by 24,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,766,000. Also, the Economic Activity rate decreased over the quarter to stand at 78.6%.

  • In July 2015, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 72,300.

Employment:

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from April to May 2015 was 2,611,000. Employment was down by 11,000 compared to the previous three months, and was up by 28,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate was down by 0.4% points. on the previous quarter, and it was up by 0.7% points. compared to the same quarter last year, at 74.1%. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.

Unemployment:

Unemployment in Scotland was down by 13,000 over the quarter April to June 2015, to 155,000. The level was down 19,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was down on the previous quarter at 5.6%, which is down 0.7% points over the year.

Jobseeker’s Allowance:

The number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), fell by 2,300 from June to 72,300 in July 2015. The level is down by 21,200 on July 2014. The claimant count rate is down by 0.1% points over the month at 2.6%, and is down 0.8% 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 2015 quarter was 2,766,000. This was down 24,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 9,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 78.6%, down 0.7% points on the previous quarter, and up 0.2% points over the year.