Unemployment Digest For October 2005

23rd November 2005

The October 2005 unemployment figures were released on 16th November 2005. During the month, September 2005 to October 2005, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain fell by 0.6%, from 842,433 to 837,100 (5,333 claimants). This figure is higher than the same period last year, where the number of claimants stood at 777,607, an increase 59,493 claimants.

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Scotland also fell during the month, down 2.1%, from 83,782 to 82,049 (1,733 claimants). This figure is lower than the same period last year, a decrease of 4.6% (3,976 claimants).

The HIE area was the only area to increase during the month, rising 1.2% from 5,275 to 5,337 (62 claimants). This figure is lower than the same period last year, where the total claimants stood at 5,675, a decrease of 338 claimants (6.0%).


Wick Tops The Unemployment Percentage Rate in Highland and Islands:

• Wick 4.1
  
• Dunoon & Rothesay 3.2
  
• Campbeltown 3.2
  
• Sutherland 2.9
  
• Uists & Barra 2.8
  
• Lewis & Harris 2.7
  
• Thurso 2.6
  
• Keith & Buckie 2.3
  
• Dingwall 2.1
  
• Skye & Ullapool 2.1
  
• Lochgilphead 1.9
  
• Inverness 1.8
  
• Lochaber 1.8
  
• Elgin & Forres 1.7
  
• Argyll Islands 1.7
  
• Oban 1.7
  
• Shetland Isles 1.6
  
• Badenoch & Strathspey 1.6
  
• Dufftown 1.3
  
• Orkney Islands 1.2
  
• HIE Area 2.1
  
• Highland Council Area 2.1
  
• Scotland 2.6
  
• GB 2.3
  
  Source: Office for National Statistics (NOMIS)

Over the month to October 2005, unemployment fell in 5 TTWA area's, rose in 10 and was static in 5 - Dunoon & Rothesay, Campbeltown, Dingwall, Elgin & Forres and Badenoch & Strathspey. The greatest increase over the month was 0.3% shared by Wick, Sutherland, Keith & Buckie and Lochaber. Dufftown had the greatest decrease over the month, falling 0.3% from 1.6% to 1.3%. Over the year to October 2005, unemployment decreased in 14 TTWAs, rose in 5 and was static in the remaining 1 - Thurso. Lochaber had the greatest increase over the year, rising 0.3% from 1.5% to 1.8%. Lewis & Harris had the greatest decrease over the year, falling 0.7% from 3.4% to 2.7%.


Unemployment By Wards

• Caithness North West 54
  
• Thurso West 37
  
• Thurso Central 43
  
• Thurso East 39
  
• Caithness Central 34
  
• Caithness North East 42
  
• Wick 58
  
• Wick West 39
  
• Pulteneytown 95
  
• Caithness South East 56
  
• Sutherland North West 40
  
• Tongue and Farr 44
  
• Sutherland Central 45
  
• Golspie and Rogart 24
  
• Brora 40
  
• Dornoch Firth 27
  
  Total 717

Long Term Unemployed
Over the month, September 2005 to October 2005, the number of long term unemployed fell in 9 LEC areas and was static in the remaining 1 LEC Area - Moray. Shetland had the greatest decrease over the month, falling 20.0% from 75 to 60 claimants.

Over the year October 2004 to October 2005, there was a decrease in 7 of the 10 LEC areas, a rise in 2, with the remaining area static - Ross & Cromarty. Skye & Lochalsh had the greatest increase over the year, rising 20.0% from 50 to 60 claimants. Orkney had the greatest decrease over the year, falling 35.7% from 70 to 45 claimants. Caithness and sutherland had 250 long term unemployed people - a decrease of 2 from September.

From information distributed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and supplied by NOMIS