Release of latest unemployment and Jobcentre vacancy figures for West Lothian

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 May is 4,468. This is a decrease of 12 on the previous month.
• West Lothian's unemployment rate of 3.9% is lower than the Scotland (4.1%) rate and the same as the Great Britain (3.9%) rate. West Lothian's unemployment rate ranks joint 14th highest with Midlothian out of all Scottish local authority areas.
• Youth unemployment (18-24 year olds) in West Lothian for May is 1,385. This is a decrease of 25 on the previous month.
• There were 949 notified jobcentre vacancies in May - a net decrease of 786 from April 2012. However, the number of vacancies in May 2012 is 3 more than in May 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 6.0:1, Great Britain’s is 4.3:1 with Clackmannanshire having the highest ratio of 16.8:1 (17 jobseekers for every vacancy) of claimants to vacancies of Scottish local authorities.