Jobless numbers falling

West Lothian’s unemployment rate has continued to fall.

Newly- released figures show that the number of people out of work in October has fallen from the month before.

The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in October has decreased by 65 on the previous month, meaning that the area’s unemployment rate is at 1.6 per cent – less than both the Scottish rate (2.2 per cent) and the UK rate ( 1.9 per cent).

The youth unemployment rate (18 to 24 year-olds) is also down.

It had fallen in October to 3.4 per cent, a reduction of 20 from the previous month.

The figures also reveal that the Bathgate and Whitburn and Blackburn wards have the highest unemployment rates – both at 2.2 per cent – and Linlithgow has the lowest at 0.8 per cent.

But while the latest labour market data for West Lothian is generally positive, there are a few caveats.

The claimant count figure for October may have fallen again, and at 1.6 per cent is low by historic standards.

But the number of people out of work is expected to “increase significantly” in 2018 both as a result of seasonal job losses and as Universal Credit roll- out gathers pace, according to West Lothian Council economic development officers.

Executive councillor for development and transport Cathy Muldoon explained: “The latest labour market data for West Lothian is positive, and we are delighted that our unemployment rate is well below the Scottish average.

“Whilst our unemployment rate is at a historically low rate, it is important to recognise that the number of people out of work is likely to increase again in the New Year once the seasonal recruitment surge comes to an end.

“However, the council will always work with partners to strive to better employment opportunities for people in West Lothian.

“The council is committed to creating job opportunities and we will certainly do everything we can to help ensure that the unemployment rate for West Lothian continues to remain low.”