The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures are out today for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures). There has been a fair amount of press coverage regarding the figures on long-term youth unemployment. The STUC have presented a report on the increase in 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for 6 months or more - with West Lothian having the highest rate of increase in Scotland of 120%.
Youth unemployment is a significant challenge in West Lothian the rate of increase figures don't tell the full story. Long term youth unemployment in West Lothian began to increase from January 2009 onwards but appears to have peaked at around 500 by April/May 2010. West Lothian's rate of increase has been greater than Scotland particularly over the last twelve months.
The level of youth unemployment is higher in West Lothian than the Scottish average. Currently have the 7th highest rate of youth unemployment across all Scottish Local Authorities. West Lothian has the third highest rate of long term youth unemployment (behind North Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire).
Other key unemployment details are:
- The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for July is 4,837. This is a decrease of 7 on the previous month.
- West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.3% is higher than both the Scottish (4.0%) and Great Britain (3.6%) rates. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks joint 10th highest with Renfrewshire.
- Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for July is 1,575. This is an increase of 60 on the last month.
- There were 743 notified Jobcentre vacancies in July - a net increase of 44 from June 2010.
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 5.8:1, Great Britain is 4.3:1 with West Dunbartonshire having the highest ratio of 16:1 (16 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.
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