Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures released

The latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures are out today for West Lothian (Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) based figures). For the second month, West Lothian’s unemployment rate continues to be lower than the Scottish average; a rate not experienced for two years.

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for November is 4,173. This is a decrease of 72 on the previous month.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 3.7% is just under the Scottish (3.8%) rate; although above the Great Britain (3.5%) rate. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 11th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for November is 1,200. This is a decrease of 115 on the last month.
• There were 807 notified Jobcentre vacancies in November - a net decrease of 833 from October 2010.
• The ratio of jobseekers to jobcentre vacancies stands at 5 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian jobcentres. In comparison, Scotland's ratio is 5.9:1, Great Britain is 3.8:1 with East Ayrshire having the highest ratio of 19.3:1 (19 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.