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