Unemployment At December 2006

31st January 2007

UNEMPLOYMENT DIGEST
SUMMARY
The December 2006 unemployment figures were released on 17th January 2007. During the month, November 2006 to December 2006, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Great Britain rose by 0.2%, from 895,833 to 897,758 (1,925 claimants). This figure is higher than December last year, where the number of claimants stood at 865,512, an increase of 3.7% (32,246 claimants).

The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Scotland fell during the month, falling 0.5%, from 83,274 to 82,818 (456 claimants). This figure is lower than the same period last year, where the number of claimants stood at 83,628, a decrease of 1.0% (810 claimants).

The HIE area witnessed an increase in its unemployment rate during the month, rising 2.8% from 5,717 to 5,878 claimants (161 claimants). This figure is lower than December last year, where the total claimants stood at 6,175, a decrease of 4.8% (297 claimants).
Over the month, November 2006 to December 2006, the claimant count rates rose in 13 TTWA area's, fell in 4, and was static in the remaining 3 - Keith & Buckie, Argyll Islands and Lochgilphead. Oban and Lochaber shared the highest increase over the month, both rising by 0.5%, whilst Campbeltown and Inverness shared the greatest decrease over the month, both falling 0.2%.

Over the year to December 2006, the claimant count rose in 5 TTWAs, fell in 10 and was static in the remaining 5 - Sutherland, Skye & Ullapool, Argyll Islands, Elgin & Forres and Badenoch & Strathspey. Lewis & Harris, Campbeltown and Oban shared the highest increase over the year all rising by 0.3%. Keith & Buckie and Lochaber shared the greatest decrease over the year both falling by 0.5%.