measuring Scotland's progress towards A SMART, SUCCESSFUL SCOTLAND
narrowing the gap in unemployment
LEAD INDICATOR
12A - REDUCING THE GAP IN UNEMPLOYMENT BETWEEN THE WORST 10 PER CENT OF AREAS AND THE SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Why this measure?
Unemployment will decrease during periods of economic growth and increase during economic downturns, but the reduction in unemployment will not be uniform across all areas of Scotland. Unemployment will decrease fastest in those areas where there are jobs available and individuals with the skills required to do those jobs. This measure gives an indication of how well the economic benefits of growth - in terms of reduced unemployment - are felt across Scotland.
How does Scotland perform?
Difference in unemployment rates between the worst 10% of areas and the Scottish average (1984-2001)
It is not possible to make an international comparison on this measure, nor would it necessarily be meaningful. The worst 10% of areas 14 were first defined in 1991 and since then the difference between unemployment in the worst 10% of areas and the Scottish average has been measured. Over ten years the size of that gap has fallen from just over 20% to under 6%.
What does this mean for Scotland?
This measure indicates the effect of long-term policy on removing some of the inequalities associated with economic growth. It would be unusual were the benefits of growth to be experienced across a country uniformly and since high unemployment is generally linked with long-term unemployment the trend illustrated here shows that in the worst unemployment areas in Scotland the risk of unemployment becoming persistent has decreased.
12B - NUMBER OF WORKING AGE PEOPLE IN EDUCATION, TRAINING OR EMPLOYMENT
Why this measure?
Continuous development and augmentation of skills is vital if Scotland's workforce is to offer added value to employers. These skills can be learned through formalised qualification- based education, on- or off-site training, or by development of skills as a part of everyday employment. By ensuring that skills, especially transferable skills, are developed, unemployment should be reduced and be more transitory where it does occur.
How does Scotland perform?
Proportion of working-age people in employment, education or training (1997-2002)
Directly comparable international data were not available for this measure. The proportion of people in employment, education or training has increased in both Scotland and the UK over the past six years. The UK has always been ahead of Scotland, but the gap has seldom been more than 2%.
What does this mean for Scotland?
Scotland's performance does not lag far behind the UK. This indicator shows that Scotland's workforce updates its skills regularly, is flexible enough to deal with labour and product markets change and minimises the prospects of any unemployment becoming long-term.
12C - EMPLOYMENT RATES OF RELATIVELY DISADVANTAGED GROUPS
Why this measure?
It is important that the benefits of economic growth and employment are enjoyed by all. Employment is the main method by which to earn income and accumulate wealth. If employment in certain groups within society falls behind that of the economy as a whole then it can be assumed reasonably that these groups are not enjoying the benefits enjoyed by the rest of society.
How does Scotland perform?
Employment rates of relatively disadvantaged groups (1992-2002)
It was not possible to make comparisons with other countries but, as a Social Justice target, information for Scotland over time is available. Those with disabilities are the least likely to be employed and their employment rate has decreased between 2001 and 2002. The other groups, with the exception of a very slight fall in employment of the over 50s, have been on an upward trend, though there would appear to be much greater volatility in the employment rate of ethnic minorities.
What does this mean for Scotland?
There continues to be a considerable gap between the employment rate of some disadvantaged groups and the employment rate as a whole. This gap has shown some signs of narrowing in the recent past, especially for lone parents. However, the gap remains and that gap does indicate that some groups within society will not receive the benefits deriving to other groups from employment.