Latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures released for West Lothian

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

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for July is 4,690. This is an increase of 157 on the previous month.


• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.1% is below the Scottish (4.3%) rate, but above the Great Britain (3.8%) rate. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks joint 14th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.


• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for July is 1,525. This is a rise of 95 on last month.


• There were 1,329 notified jobcentre vacancies in July - a net increase of 357 from June 2011.


• The ratio of jobseekers to jobcentre vacancies stands at 4 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in West Lothian Jobcentres. In comparison, Scotland’s ratio is 5.3:1, Great Britain is 3.9:1 with West Dunbartonshire having the highest ratio of 13.4:1 (13 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.