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).

• The number of JSA jobless in West Lothian for August is 4,713. This is an increase of 23 on the previous month.


• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 4.1% is below the Scottish (4.3%) rate, but above the Great Britain (3.9%) rate. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks 13th highest out of all Scottish local authority areas.


• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for August is 1,550. This is a rise of 25 on last month.


• There were 967 notified jobcentre vacancies in August - a net decrease of 362 from July 2011.


• 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 6.3:1, Great Britain is 4.7:1 with Inverclyde having the highest ratio of 21.1:1 (21 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.