Why is this Purpose target important?
The benefits of economic growth should be enjoyed across the whole of Scotland. At present, differences in income, participation and growth across Scotland act as a drag on our collective economic performance and potential. By addressing the low participation rates of our worst-off regions, we will release the economic potential of all Scottish people and reduce the cost of poor performance to the whole of Scotland.
What will influence this Purpose target?
Cohesion, as measured by participation rates, can be influenced by:
- Boosting the demand for jobs in those regions where participation rates are particularly low
- Improving business and investment conditions in the worst-off regions
- Addressing the local bottlenecks to increase the capacity and willingness of individuals in the worst-off regions to enter and stay in the labour market
What is the Government's role?
The Government can influence cohesion in Scotland through actions such as:
- Learning, skills and well-being: remove any barriers that stand in the way of all individuals participating in learning, skills development; and realising their potential in the workplace
- Equity: greater priority given to more balanced growth across Scotland
- Effective government: to support local employability partnerships, as part of Community Planning Partnerships, to improve participation in their most deprived areas through provision of services to meet individuals' needs and those of the local labour market
How is Scotland performing?
The employment rate in Scotland varies considerably between local authority areas. The difference between the 3 best areas and the 3 worst performing local authority areas was on a downward trend between 2004 and 2008. Between 2008 and 2009 the gap increased. Between 2009 and 2011 the gap had been reducing slowly but has increased in 2012. Over the past year the employment rate in Glasgow has fallen by 4.1 percentage points, this will have had a relatively large impact on the overall employment rate of the three worst performing areas due to its size.
Please note from June 2011 the figures for employment rate covered the population aged 16 to 64 for both men and women. This new definition has been applied to the back series to ensure consistent comparisons.
The data for this chart is available at the bottom of the page
Source: Annual Population Survey. The data are based on the calendar year.
Criteria for recent change
This evaluation is based on: any difference in the gap within +/- 1 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease in the gap of 1 percentage points or more suggests that the position is improving; whereas an increase in the gap of 1 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.
Further Information
For information on general methodological approach, please click here.
Scotland Performs Technical Note
Statistics Topic Page