Renfrewshire Employment Trends and “Get Britain Working” Opportunities August 26 - AM reviewed2 -
Renfrewshire Council · 25 August 2026
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 25 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 25 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Renfrewshire Employment Trends and “Get Britain Working” Opportunities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides an overview of employment and unemployment trends over the past few years and highlights issues for Renfrewshire. 1.2 It also identifies new programmes of support to potentially help mitigate some of the issues. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Note the data and information relating to the current employment trends in Renfrewshire; (ii) Agree to the Council pursuing all relevant and appropriate funding opportunities to support greater employment participation in the area. (iii) Note the intention to bring the issue of reducing employment levels and long term health to a future Board. _________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Recent NOMIS data indicates a significant deterioration in labour market participation within Renfrewshire.
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PUBLIC 3.2 Whilst unemployment has increased only modestly, the employment rate has fallen from 76.3% in 2024 to 69.1% in the latest available estimate (March 2026), representing a reduction of more than 8,000 residents in employment. 3.3 Over the same period, economic inactivity has increased by approximately 6,800 people (to almost 32,000 people at March 2026), with inactivity due to long-term sickness increasing by around 5,000. 3.4 The evidence therefore suggests that the principal labour market challenge is no longer unemployment alone but a substantial withdrawal from the labour market, increasingly associated with health-related barriers to work. 3.5 This trend presents risks to economic growth, labour supply, household incomes and demand for public services, and strengthens the case for interventions focused on labour market participation, health and employability support alongside youth employment initiatives. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Renfrewshire Labour Market Trends 4.1 Statistical releases by ONS vary in timescale across categories. They can also vary in accuracy as, for some reporting, the sample sizes used are fairly small. However, recent reports are consistently showing a worrying situation in Renfrewshire which is worth highlighting to the Board. Renfrewshire Labour Market Trends (NOMIS APS) Year Total Population Population 16-64 Employed Employment Rate Unemployed Unemployment Rate Economically Inactive Inactivity Rate Long- Term Sick Inactive % of Inactive 2021 182,330 117,400 *86,900 75.1% 3,100 3.5% 24,400 21.8% 10,300 42.1% 2022 184,370 118,500 *83,900 71.3% 3,200 3.6% 29,400 25.9% 13,500 46.1% 2023 187,150 119,800 89,100 76.8% 2,800 3.0% 25,100 22.4% 8,700 34.6% 2024 189,170 120,700 90,600 76.3% 3,300 3.5% 25,100 22.0% 7,600 30.3% 2025 189,270 122,744 84,100 71.8% 3,500 4.0% 28,600 25.3% 10,200 35.5% Mar 2026 n/a n/a 82,500 69.1% 3,600 4.1% 31,900 28.0% 12,600 39.6% * 2021 and 2022 employment and unemployment were impacted by COVID. 2023 figures were back at pre-covid levels. Population figures for 2025 are not yet published. 4.2 Renfrewshire’s population is growing. However, the figures above show that there are approximately 8,100 fewer residents in employment in March 2026 compared to 2024, yet unemployment has increased by only around 300 people. At the same time: • economic inactivity has increased by 6,800 people; • long-term sickness inactivity has increased by 5,000 people. • The number of jobs based in Renfrewshire has stayed about the same (very slight increase).
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PUBLIC 4.3 This suggests that the overwhelming majority of the deterioration in labour market performance is being driven by people leaving the labour market altogether rather than becoming unemployed. 4.4 Normally, if employment falls by nearly 10 percentage points, it is expected that unemployment would rise sharply, claimant counts would increase substantially, visible pressure on Jobcentre Plus and employability services would be anticipated. But that is not what appears to have happened in Renfrewshire. This strongly suggests that health-related barriers are now a major determinant of labour market participation in Renfrewshire (much more than previously). 4.5 The figures in the tables below show that Renfrewshire’s Claimant Count (those registered as actively looking for work) are lower than both the Scottish and UK levels. 4.6 Renfrewshire’s youth claimants (aged 18-24), however, are higher than adult levels and are higher than the Scottish level (but lower than UK levels). Claimant count by sex - not seasonally adjusted (June 2026) Renfrewshire (numbers) Renfrewshire (%) Scotland (%) Great Britain (%) All people 3,470 2.9 3.1 3.9 Males 2,095 3.6 3.8 4.5 Females 1,370 2.2 2.5 3.4 Source: ONS Claimant count by sex and age Note: % is the number of claimants as a proportion of resident population of area aged 16-64 and gender Claimant count by age - not seasonally adjusted (June 2026) Renfrewshire (level) Renfrewshire (%) Scotland (%) Great Britain (%) Aged 16+ 3,470 2.9 3.1 3.9 Aged 16 to 17 20 0.5 0.7 0.2 Aged 18 to 24 695 4.9 4.5 5.7 Aged 18 to 21 445 5.7 5.0 6.0 Aged 25 to 49 2,015 3.2 3.6 4.3 Aged 50+ 740 1.8 2.0 2.9 Source: ONS Claimant count by sex and age Note: % is number of claimants as a proportion of resident population of the same age
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PUBLIC 4.7 Renfrewshire's labour market data indicates a participation crisis. It is suggested that the Council should position itself to influence and attract future investment aimed at preventing economic inactivity, supporting health-related return to work, and improving pathways into employment. There should also be a particular focus on young people. _________________________________________________________ 5. “Get Britain Working” Agenda 5.1 The UK Government's Get Britain Working agenda provides a strategic framework focused on increasing labour market participation, tackling economic inactivity and supporting people with health-related barriers to employment. 5.2 While some specific initiatives within the programme, including certain Trailblazer activity, are focused on England, the policy direction aligns strongly with challenges emerging in Renfrewshire. The Council can use this agenda to strengthen alignment between existing Scottish and local government funded employability provision, local health and wellbeing priorities and emerging UK Government employment support opportunities. 5.3 Given Renfrewshire's significant reduction in employment rates and corresponding increase in economic inactivity, particularly linked to long-term health conditions, there is a strong strategic case for ensuring future employability investment is targeted not only at unemployment but also at preventing labour market exit and supporting pathways back into work. 5.4 A number of new investment programmes are therefore being investigated to support Renfrewshire’s current position: 5.5 The Youth Jobs Guarantee is designed to provide eligible young people who have experienced extended periods of unemployment (currently 18 months) with access to paid employment and tailored in-work support. The programme will: • create funded employment opportunities lasting up to six months; • support young people aged 18–24 who have been unemployed for an extended period; • provide personalised employment support before and during work; • help participants progress into sustained employment beyond the funded placement. Delivery will be coordinated through DWP-appointed Delivery Partners working closely with employers and local stakeholders. 5.6 The Youth Jobs Grant provides employers with a financial contribution of £3,000 towards the costs of recruiting eligible young people. The grant aims to: • encourage employers to create additional job opportunities; • reduce the financial risks associated with recruitment; • increase youth employment across a range of sectors;
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PUBLIC • support businesses experiencing recruitment challenges. The funding is available to eligible employers recruiting young people who meet the programme criteria. 5.7 The Pathways to Work Innovation Fund is a ‘call to action’ for the private, voluntary and public sectors to come forward with the most ambitious, creative ideas to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into and on at work. The Fund will open for bids in September 2026, with organisations across the UK invited to compete for funding to test genuinely new approaches to employment support. Fund guidance and the terms and conditions of grant are expected in the next few weeks. _________________________________________________________ 6. Conclusion 6.1 Given recent local data showing declining employment rates alongside rising economic inactivity, particularly among those reporting long-term health conditions, it is proposed to prepare a scrutiny report to further identify potential actions to reverse the trend. 6.2 It is also proposed to examine all new opportunities available through the Get Britain Working approach and to make applications as appropriate for Renfrewshire. 6.3 Further reports on progress will be brought back to Board at a later date. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – no immediate impact but the report provides information on employability funding opportunities to be explored for Renfrewshire. 2. HR & Organisational Development –none. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – the report identifies some worrying trends for Renfrewshire and potential programmes to support new investment. • Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – employability plays a major role in the local economy, supporting people to get into work. • Tackling inequality, ensuring opportunities for all – new funding opportunities will support young people and those with long term health conditions. • Working together to improve outcomes – the Renfrewshire Local Employability Partnership is an excellent example of joint working amongst local partners with the aim of improving outcomes and opportunities. 4. Legal – none.
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PUBLIC 5. Property/Assets – none. 6. Information Technology – none. 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – none. 9. Procurement – none. 10. Risk – none. 11. Privacy Impact – none. 12. Children’s Rights – none. 13. Cosla Policy Position – not applicable. 14. Climate Risk – not applicable. _________________________________________________________ List of Background Papers – None. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: Ruth Cooper, Economic Development Manager, ruth.cooper@renfrewshire.gov.uk