- The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for March is 4,478. This is an increase of 169 on the February 2009 figure, and is the highest total for West Lothian since September 1996.
- West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.2% is higher than both the Scottish (3.9%) and Great Britain (4.0%) rates, and is higher than at any time since February 1997. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 14th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.
- There were 801 notified Jobcentre vacancies in March - a net decrease from February 2009 of 284 vacancies.
- There are now approximately 6 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres, compared to last month's 4 jobseekers for every vacancy. In comparison, Scotland's ratio is 5.7:1, Great Britain is 6.3:1 with Inverclyde having the highest ratio of 15.1:1 (15 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.
JSA based unemployment figures do not provide the full picture. However, the headline JSA figure does help to indicate the latest trend or change at a national or local level and whether the economic down turn is beginning to bite. The Government's favoured method of measuring unemployment - the ILO method does not readily translate into up-to-date local area estimates.
The Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is payable to people under pensionable age who are available for, and actively seeking, work.
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