Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures released

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures) have been released.

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for February 2010 is 5,311. This is an increase of 94 on the January 2010 figure.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.9% is higher than both the Scottish (4.5%) and Great Britain (4.3%) rates. These rates are unchanged from the previous month.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 11th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas, down from 10th in January.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for February is 1,610. This is an increase of 10 on the last month.
• There were 723 notified Jobcentre vacancies in February - an increase of 89 from January.
• The ratio of jobseekers to jobcentre vacancies stands at 7 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres. In comparison, Scotland's ratio is 6.7:1, Great Britain is 5.7:1 with West Dunbartonshire having the highest ratio of 15.8:1 (Almost 16 jobseekers for every vacancy).