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). As expected, unemployment has risen slightly with seasonal recruitment tailing off, however, West Lothian continues for a third month to have an unemployment rate lower than the Scottish average; a rate not experienced for two years.

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for December is 4,257. This is an increase of 84 on the previous month.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 3.8% is below the Scottish (4.0%) rate; but above the Great Britain (3.5%) rate. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks joint 11th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for December is 1,225. This is an increase of 25 on the last month.
• There were 923 notified Jobcentre vacancies in December - a net increase of 116 from November 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 7.5:1, Great Britain is 5.1:1 with North Ayrshire having the highest ratio of 27.6 (28 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.