Commenting on the latest publication of ONS labour market
statistics which show that Scotland’s employment rate rose over
the quarter to 75.1% and unemployment rate increased to 4.3% in
May to July 2023, Wellbeing Economy Secretary said:
“The rise in the employment rate over the quarter and fall in the
inactivity rate are welcome. The increase in the unemployment
rate over the quarter and the year for those aged 16 and over
across Scotland reflects the ongoing challenges facing the
economy amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, compounded by
high inflation and interest rates.
“The Scottish Government is committed to supporting more people
into work – including those with a disability, those with health
conditions and those with caring responsibilities – through
employability and skills support as well as continuing to support
and promote flexible working from day one of employment
“The 2023-24 Programme for Government has committed to expanding
access to funded childcare which can support more parents and
those with caring responsibilities get back into work sooner or
take up employment.
“We are developing a lifetime skills offer for adults and our
apprenticeship programme is enabling employers to invest in their
work force and provide greater opportunities to those at the
start of their careers. This will sit alongside a Green
Industrial Strategy which will help businesses and investors to
realise the enormous economic opportunities of the global
transition to net zero and create good, well-paid green jobs
across Scotland.
“However, with industries such as hospitality and agriculture
still facing recruitment challenges an urgent reassessment of UK
Government immigration policy is necessary to increase access to
the international labour and skills that Scotland needs for our
economy and communities to prosper. With full powers over
migration, Scotland could boost its workforce and tackle
recruitment challenges, many of which have been caused by the end
of free movement and the Brexit imposed on Scotland by the UK
Government.”
Background
For May to July 2023, Scotland’s estimated unemployment rate (16+
years) was 4.3%, an increase of 1.2 percentage points over the
quarter.
The unemployment rate for men aged 16+ rose over the quarter to
4.8%. The unemployment rate for women aged 16+ rose over the
quarter to 3.8%.
The estimated employment rate (16-64 years) rose over the quarter
to 75.1% and the estimated inactivity rate (16-64 years) fell to
21.4% over the same period.
Separate HMRC early estimates show 2.45 million payrolled
employees in Scotland in August 2023, 30,000 more than in a year
ago (August 2022).
The claimant count unemployment rate in August 2023 was 3.6%.
There were 109,200 claimants of unemployment related benefits, a
decrease of 1.4% from a year ago (August 2022)
Labour Market trends - September
2023
Growing the economy and tackling
poverty - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
