Unemployment Digest For August 2006
27th September 2006
SUMMARY
The August 2006 unemployment figures were released on 13th September 2006. During the month, July 2006 to August 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain fell by 0.3%, from 932,191 to 929,498 (2,693 claimants). This figure is higher than the same period last year, where the number of claimants stood at 850,467, an increase of 9.3% (79,031 claimants).
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Scotland rose during the month, rising 0.1%, from 92,105 to 92,196 (91 claimants). This figure is higher than August last year, where the number of claimants stood at 89,395, an increase of 3.1% (2,801 claimants).
As with GB, the HIE area unemployment rate fell during the month July 2006 to August 2006, falling 1.9% from 5,760 to 5,650 claimants (110 claimants). This figure is higher than August last year, where the total claimants stood at 5,586, an increase of 1.1% (64 claimants).
During the month July 2006 to August 2006, the claimant count rates rose in 4 TTWA area's, fell in 8, and was static in the remaining 8 - Wick, Lewis & Harris, Keith & Buckie, Sutherland, Skye & Ullapool, Oban, Inverness and Badenoch & Strathspey. All 4 TTWA's that rose during the month, rose by 0.1% - Dunoon & Rothesay, Uists & Barra, Thurso and Shetland Islands. Dufftown had the greatest decrease over the month, falling 0.3% from 1.7% to 1.4%.
Over the year to August 2006, the claimant count rose in 7 TTWAs, fell in 8 and was static in the remaining 5 - Lewis & Harris, Sutherland, Thurso, Lochgilphead and Lochaber. Dunoon & Rothesay and Keith & Buckie shared the greatest increase over the year, both rising 0.5%. Campbeltown, Inverness and Dufftown shared the greatest decrease over the year, all falling by 0.3%.
Over the month to August 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit rose in 3 and fell in 6 of the 9 LEC areas. Western Isles had the greatest increase over the month, rising 2.0% from 451 to 460 claimants. Lochaber had the greatest decrease over the month, falling 13.1%, from 198 to 172.
Over the year to August 2006, there was an increase in 6 of the LEC areas, and a decrease in the remaining 3. Moray had the greatest increase over the year, rising 16.7% from 1,015 to 1,184 claimants. Inverness & East Highland had the greatest decrease over the year, down 11.7% from 1,728 to 1,526 claimants.
Long Term Unemployed
Over the month, July 2006 to August 2006, the number of long term unemployment benefit claimants rose in 1 LEC area - Shetland, fell in 7 and was static in the remaining 1 - Orkney. Shetland rose by 6.3% from 80 to 85 claimants. Lochaber had the greatest decrease over the month, falling 7.7% from 65 to 60 claimants.
Over the year August 2005 to August 2006, there was an increase in the number of claimants in 7 of the LEC areas, with the remaining 2 LEC areas static - Western Isles & Orkney. Lochaber had the greatest increase over the year, rising 33.3% from 45 to 60 claimants.
Source - Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Related Businesses
Related Articles
Shell-volution is an ambitious industry-wide initiative supported by the public sector and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) which has been awarded £4.4 million of investment from the UK Government as part of the Islands Growth Deal. This innovative, ground-breaking project is set to transform shellfish aquaculture, bringing sustainable growth and additional quality jobs in mussel farming, based on detailed investigations (mapping and monitoring) and creating a model for improving security and reliability of wild spat recruitment, through industry best practice.
A Nairn-based foundry, which has achieved international recognition for its larger-than-life bronze castings has invested in a £200,000 expansion to help it reach greater heights. An award of £60,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has helped Black Isle Bronze to improve infrastructure and purchase equipment to extend the range of projects the firm can undertake.
Young businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to increase productivity, innovation and employment can apply for funding from HIE. The fourth round of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Young Business Capital Grant (YBCG) is now open to businesses that have been trading for less than five years with up to 250 full-time equivalent employees.
Ambitious young businesspeople in the Highlands and Islands have just one more chance to benefit from a tailored support programme. IMPACT30 was launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2018 to help nurture and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The winners of the Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards (HIFAD) 2024 were announced on Friday 1 November at a prestigious ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the awards celebrate the talent, quality and diversity across food, drink and hospitality in the Highlands and Islands.
A family run engineering fabrication firm in Caithness is investing in a project to improve productivity, grow business turnover and create new jobs. Gow's Lybster Limited has been working with development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) over several years to develop its growth plans.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will return to Norway to host the Scottish Pavilion at Aqua Nor 2025. The Scottish aquaculture supply chain is invited to register their interest to exhibit as part of the pavilion or join the wider Scottish delegation.
A young engineer working on Britain's deepest nuclear clean-up project has been recognised by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Liam Gordon (27) won the Young Chemical Engineer of the Year award at the annual showcase event of the Aberdeen branch of IChemE, the professional body for chemical engineers in the UK.
Food and Drink TechHUB will provide financial and advice support to help businesses, including social and community enterprises, with commercial growth and net zero transition activities. Small to medium sized enterprises in the Highland Council area that operate in the food and drink sector and its supply chain are expected to benefit from a new programme of support launched his week.
Businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations can now apply to a new Green Grant Fund launched on Thursday 26 September 2024. The three-year £2.7m fund was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
