Long-Term Unemployment By LEC Area - December 2006

31st January 2007

LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYMENT BY LEC AREA
For the purpose of this analysis, long-term unemployment (LTU) is defined as 'all those who have been unemployed and claiming benefit for over 6 months'. The table below shows the number of people who are on long term unemployment benefit for December 2006 in each of the LEC areas. It also highlights the percentage change in number of those claiming long term unemployment benefit over the month (November 2006 to December 2006) and over the year (December 2005 to December 2006). The LECs are ranked by the right hand column, which contains the size of the annual percentage change in numbers of LTU.

Over the month to December 2006, the number of long term unemployment benefit claimants rose in 1 and fell in 8 of the LEC areas. Western Isles was the only LEC area to increase over the month, rising 5.9% from 170 to 180 claimants. Lochaber had the greatest decrease over the month, falling 12.5% from 40 to 35 claimants.

Over the year to December 2006, there was an increase in the number of claimants in 6 of the LEC areas, a decrease in 2 with the remaining LEC static - Caithness & Sutherland. Skye & Wester Ross had the greatest increase over the year, rising 25.0% from 80 to 100 claimants. Lochaber had the greatest decrease over the year, falling 22.2% from 45 to 35 claimants.

Further economic information and previous Factsheets can be accessed on the HIE Website: http://www.hie.co.uk
All information supplied by Highlands & Islands Enterprise.