MSP Rhoda Grant Highlights Concerns About Highland Unemployment Figures

6th February 2013

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant is highlighting figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) “model-based “ unemployment estimates for local authorities which show an unemployment rate for the Highland council area of 4.7 per cent compared with the 2.8 per cent rate from the ONS’s monthly claimant count for Job Seekers Allowance. (JSA) .

The figures are compiled on a different basis.
Using both sets of figures provides a fuller picture of unemployment in the area than the JSA figures alone.

The number of claimants for Job Seekers Allowance in the Highland Council area In November stood at 3,911 or 2.8 per cent.

The latest ONS’ additional “model-based” figure for unemployment in the Highlands records the level at 5,600 or 4.7 per cent per cent .

This refers to the period July 2011-June 2012.

Rhoda Grant said, “ These more comprehensive figures are worrying and emphasise the need to grow the Highland economy to put it on the road to recovery.

“We need growth in the Highlands on the grounds of both fairness and prosperity."

“Unemployment is wasteful and soul destroying to those who find themselves out of work."

“Scottish Labour have repeatedly asked the Scottish Government to reinstate the housing budget in order to kick start construction and provide jobs and training throughout the region."

“If the necessary investment is made now, then this will provide benefits to the area through jobs now and through infrastructure in the near future.”