Scotland's Devolved Employment Services: Statistical Summary May 2024

Official statistics in development are official statistics that are undergoing development; they may be new or existing statistics, and will be tested with users, in line with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics. These were previously referred to as experimental statistics.

Users should be aware that official statistics in development may have a wider degree of uncertainty and require extra caution when interpreting results. We continue to work with data suppliers to improve the accuracy and quality of returns following the move to our new data template. We have implemented an enhanced process of data quality checks targeted at those areas requiring the most development. We will re-assess the official statistics in development label at the end of 2024. Please see the supplementary Background and Methodology Report for more details.  

No One Left Behind is a strategy for placing people at the centre of the design and delivery of employability services. Key features of this service to consider when reviewing these statistics are contained in Table 3 in the supplementary Background and Methodology Report.

Since April 2019, a range of Scottish Government funding has been made available to Local Government partners as the scope of delivery under No One Left Behind expanded over time. This includes:

• funding for the initial phase of No One Left Behind (April 2019),
• the Parental Employability Support Fund (February 2020) and
• the Young Person’s Guarantee (November 2020).

Since February 2022, the statistics in this publication have included people supported by the totality of these funds. The funding aims to provide support for people of all ages, with a range of differing characteristics and circumstances, including parents, who need help on their journey towards work. Note that the statistics in this publication relate only to Scottish Government funded activity and do not report on the entirety of employability related activity in each Local Authority area.

The first SMF publication was released in April 2022 and subsequently updated in December 2022 to reflect work undertaken with Local Authorities during the summer of 2022 to agree and finalise the new data template to be used for collection of No One Left Behind employability statistics.

The initial data recommendations built on existing data collection practices and activity in place between Local and Scottish Government, formalising key data items collected around the ‘progression’ theme. The new data collection template is further aligned with the ‘reach’ and ‘progression’ themes of the SMF and the data published in this report will increasingly reflect this in the future.

The SMF publication is not a final product and more work is required to develop certain areas and themes. They will be particularly important to help us understand the journeys and achievements of those who are furthest away from the labour market and to develop the range of data that we publish.

Participant journeys will differ in nature and pace, and progression and achievements will vary based on what a positive outcome means to that individual. This means broadening our understanding of success from a focus on job outcomes to focus on the actual steps taken and progress made towards work.

We first published statistics on participants supported by No One Left Behind in February 2021 for year 1 participants, derived from the aggregate data that was collected during that period. Since then we have developed year 1 data and combined it with data collected quarterly for subsequent periods, which has allowed us to provide more detailed information for year 1 participants, including their achievements. It should be noted that the flexibility of the No One Left Behind approach allows people to come in and out of support as often as is needed, so the time between the initial start date and that to achieve certain progression outcomes can vary considerably.

SMF Theme 1 – Reach: Employability services are reaching all those who need support to progress towards, move into and sustain fair work.

A total of 54,475 people started receiving support from April 2019 to December 2023. The number of people receiving support has increased over time from 2,677 in year 1 (2019/20) to 18,226 in year 4 (2022/23). In the most recent quarter (October – December 2023), 4,439 people started to receive support.

Age

Most people supported through No One Left Behind were aged under 25 (58%; 31,834). Of these, 22,948 (72%) were aged 15 to 19 and 8,886 (28%) were aged 20 to 24. The remaining 22,196 (41%) participants were aged 25 and over, and of these; 7,898 (36%) were aged 25 to 34, 9,670 (44%) aged 35 to 49 while only 4,628 (21%) were aged 50 or over. Age was unknown for 1% (445) of participants.

The proportional difference between the under 25 and 25 and over age groups has decreased each year of No One Left Behind, with 55% of people aged under 25 and 44% aged 25 and over in the most recent full year (year 4 – 2022/23). In the latest quarter, people aged under 25 represented 40% of participants and people aged 25 and over represented 60% of participants, the highest proportion in a single quarter.

There was a notable increase in participation of people under 25 between January and March 2021 (Year 2 Quarter 4) which coincided with the introduction of additional funding to support young people.

Figure 2: The age of people starting No One Left Behind has been increasing

Participants starting No One Left Behind, by age and quarter, Apr 2019 to Dec 2023 (age unknown less than 30 are not labelled)

Sex

Most people starting on No One Left behind were male (55%; 29,695), while the remaining 24,368 (45%) were female. Sex was unknown for 1% (412) of participants. Overall the difference in sex has remained relatively stable over time. However, in the most recent quarter, there were more female participants (2,290; 52%) than male (2,104; 47%).

Sex differences by age are more varied. For the middle age groups, 25 to 34 and 35 to 49, females account for the highest proportion of participants, 56% and 60%, respectively. The youngest age group, 15 to 19, has the lowest proportion of females at 37%.

Trans status

Trans status was reported for the first time in July 2023. This is a new variable included in the new data reporting template since October 2022 (July 2022 for 13 Local Authorities who adopted the new template early). Data are only available for participants starting on or after the 1st October 2022. This question is voluntary.

A total of 299 people have responded yes to the question on trans status. Of these, 119 identified as a trans man, 108 as a non-binary person, 41 as a trans woman, with the remaining 31 people choosing the “other” option.

Ethnicity

Overall, people from a minority ethnic background have accounted for 8% (4,198) of participants since April 2019. The proportion of minority ethnic participants has varied across years with the highest proportion (7%) in the most recent full year (year 4 – 2022/23). In the most recent quarter (October – December 2023), the proportion was 14%.

There are age differences. The proportion of people aged 25 and over from a minority ethnic background is 13%, compared to 4% for those aged under 25.

All figures should be interpreted with caution as some percentages are based on small numbers and the proportion of unknowns can vary across time periods.

Long-Term Health Condition

Data on long-term health conditions was reported for the first time in February 2024. Overall, 11,403 people have reported a long-term health condition (LTHC). However, this has only been possible since the introduction of the new data reporting template from October 2022 (July 2022 for 13 Local Authorities who adopted the new template early). Since the introduction of the new template, the proportion of participants reporting a LTHC has ranged from 38 – 41%.

Of those participants with a LTHC, over half (6,361; 56%) reported one condition, while a further 2,953 (26%) reported two conditions and 2,089 (18%) reported three or more conditions.

The most commonly reported LTHC is a mental health condition followed by participants reporting a long-term illness, disease or condition. In the most recent quarter (October – December 2023), 1,674 (38%) of participants reported a LTHC, with 23% of all participants reporting a mental health condition, 10% reporting a long-term illness, disease or condition and 8% reporting a learning difficulty.

Disability

Overall, 17% of participants accessing No One Left Behind support reported having a disability (see supplementary Background and Methodology Report for disability definition). The proportion of participants reporting a disability has been consistent with the exception of a notable decrease in year 2 (2020/21). This year covered the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and a noticeable decrease was also observed in FSS during this year. In the most recent quarter (October – December 2023), the proportion was 25%, the largest proportion in a single quarter to date.

These figures should be used with caution as some percentages are based on very small numbers and the proportion of unknowns can vary across time periods.

Figure 3: No One Left Behind participants are most likely to be male, white and under 20

Equality Characteristics of People Starting No One Left Behind, Apr 2019 to Dec 2023

Barriers

Prior to the new data template, barriers was a single variable with multiple options. While more than one barrier to employment could be chosen, often only the most significant barrier was selected. This means data prior to October 2022 has a significant number of unknowns. Following the introduction of the new data template, all barriers were presented as stand-alone compulsory variables. This has significantly improved the proportion of unknowns across these variables.

Criminal Convictions

Data on participants reporting a criminal conviction were reported for the first time in October 2023. In the most recent quarter, 279 people (6%) reported a criminal conviction, while 3,965 (89%) reported no criminal conviction. This information was unknown for 195 people (4%). The proportion of people reporting a criminal conviction ranged between 6 and 7% since the introduction of the new data template.

Armed Forces Veteran

Data on armed forces veterans were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 47 people (1%) reported being an armed forces veteran, while 4,270 (96%) reported not being an armed forces veteran. This information was unknown for 122 people (3%). The proportion of people reporting being an armed forces veteran has been consistently around 1% since the introduction of the new data template.

Homelessness

Data on homelessness were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 192 people (4%) reported homelessness, while 4,128 (93%) did not report homelessness. This information was unknown for 119 people (3%). The proportion of people reporting homelessness has been consistently around 3 –  4% since the introduction of the new data template.

Substance Related Conditions

Data on participants with substance related conditions were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 115 people (3%) reported a substance related condition, while 4,177 (94%) did not report a substance related condition. This information was unknown for 147 people (3%). The proportion of people reporting a substance related condition has consistently been 3% since the introduction of the new data template.

No or Limited Work Experience

Data on participants with no or limited work experience were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 1,581 people (36%) reported having no or limited work experience, while 2,744 (62%) did not report having no or limited work experience. This information was unknown for 114 people (3%). The proportion of people reporting having no or limited work experience has ranged from 36 – 43% since the introduction of the new data template.

Asylum Seekers

Data on asylum seekers were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 34 people (1%) reported being an asylum seeker, while 4,289 (97%) did not report being an asylum seeker. This information was unknown for 116 people (3%). The proportion of people reporting being an asylum seeker has been consistently around 1% since the introduction of the new data template.

Refugees

Data on refugees were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 186 people (4%) reported being a refugee, while 4,144 (93%) did not report being a refugee. This information was unknown for 109 people (2%). The proportion of people reporting being a refugee has ranged from 4 – 6% since the introduction of the new data template.

Child Care

Data on participants with childcare responsibilities that are a barrier to employment were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 974 people (22%) reported childcare responsibilities that are a barrier to employment, while 3,032 (68%) did not. This information was unknown for 433 people (10%). The proportion of people reporting childcare responsibilities that are a barrier to employment has ranged from 14 – 22% since the introduction of the new data template.

Transport

Data on transport as a barrier were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 897 people (20%) reported transport as a barrier, while 3,331 (75%) did not report transport as a barrier. This information was unknown for 211 people (5%). The proportion of people reporting transport as a barrier has ranged from 15 – 20% since the introduction of the new data template.

Care Experienced

Data on participants that are care experienced were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 389 people (9%) reported being care experienced, while 3,748 (84%) did not report being care experienced. This information was unknown for 302 people (7%). The proportion of people reporting being care experienced has ranged from 7 – 9% since the introduction of the new data template.

Caring Responsibilities

Data on participants with caring responsibilities were reported for the first time in February 2024. In the most recent quarter, 669 people (15%) reported having caring responsibilities, while 3,486 (79%) did not report having caring responsibilities. This information was unknown for 284 people (6%). The proportion of people reporting having caring responsibilities has ranged from 12 – 15% since the introduction of the new data template.

Economic Status at Start Date

Data on the economic status of participants were reported for the first time in October 2023. While most participants joining No One Left Behind are unemployed, some participants may already be in employment, or may be classed as economically inactive, where they are not in employment, and have not actively sought work in the last four weeks. This may include students in full-time education, some people who are sick or disabled, or those who have retired. In addition, a small number of No One Left Behind participants are school pupils. See supplementary Background and Methodology Report for more in-depth definitions of these categories.

Most participants were unemployed at start date (30,316; 56%), while a further 11,962 (22%) were economically inactive and 5,921 (11%) were employed when starting. There have been 3,415 (6%) school pupils joining No One Left Behind.

In the most recent quarter, 61% of participants were unemployed at start date, 15% economically inactive and 16% in employment. This represents the largest proportion of participants employed at start date in a single quarter and the lowest for economically inactive participants.

Further information is available for those in employment at start date. While most No One Left Behind participants are male, the majority of the 5,921 participants in employment at start date are female (3,565; 60%). Participants employed at start date also tend to be older than those overall, with 1,934 (33%) aged 35 to 49 and 1,373 (23%) aged 25 to 34.

Parents are a subgroup of all participants supported during the period April 2020 to December 2023 (year 2 onwards). Of the 51,798 people who started to receive support from year 2, 13,696 (26%) were parents. The number of parents has generally increased reaching a high of 1,873 (42%) parents in the most recent October – December 2023 quarter.

Figure 4: The number of parents starting to receive support through No One Left Behind has generally been increasing

Parents Receiving No One Left Behind Support, by Quarter, Apr 2020 to Dec 2023

Age

Most parents are aged 25 and over (87%; 11,904), with the majority in the 35 to 49 years age group (47%; 6,500) and the lowest proportion in the youngest (15 to 19 year olds; 3%; 397) and oldest (50 and over; 8%; 1,076) age groups.

Sex

While female participants account for a lower proportion of all participants (45%), they account for a majority of the parent subgroup (73%; 10,027 female).  Females have accounted for a significantly higher proportion of parents across the period. However, the proportion of male parents accessing support has generally increased over time accounting for 17% of parents receiving support in April – June 2020 and increasing to 25% in the latest quarter.

Ethnicity

Of parents accessing No One Left Behind support, 16% (2,123) were from a minority ethnic background, while this was true for 19% (364) of parents in the most recent quarter. Proportions have fluctuated across time periods and caution is required as some percentages are based on very small numbers and the proportion of unknowns can vary across quarters.

Disability

Overall, 18% (2,457) of parents reported having a disability. The proportion of parents reporting a disability has increased over time from 11% in year 2 (2020/21) to 17% in year 4 (2022/23). It was 23% in the most recent quarter.

Figure 5: No One Left Behind parents are most likely to be female, white and 25 or over

Equality Characteristics of Parents Starting No One Left Behind, Apr 2020 to Dec 2023

Priority Family Groups

There were 1,873 parents in the most recent quarter (October – December 2023). Of these, the following groups were observed in terms of parents and those from families at highest risk of being affected by child poverty (some adults may appear in one or more of these family groups):

• 436 (23%) were disabled,
• 996 (53%) were lone parents,
• 144 (8%) were parents aged under 25,
• 427 (23%) were parents with three or more children,
• 138 (7%) had a child aged under 12 months, and,
• 387 (21%) had a disabled child or adult within the family (this refers to any other disabled adult within the family, not adults who are participants).

Overall, of the 13,696 parents receiving support since year 2:

• 2,457 (18%) were disabled,
• 7,917 (58%) were lone parents,
• 1,716 (13%) were parents aged under 25,
• 3,172 (23%) were parents with three or more children,
• 1,096 (8%) had a child aged under 12 months, and,
• 1,936 (14%) had a disabled child or adult within the family (this refers to any other disabled adult within the family, not adults who are participants).

Please see Tackling Child Poverty Priority Families Overview (opens in a new window) for further information on the priority family groups and their definitions. Information has been collected based on these family groups.

Of the 54,475 participants being supported through No One Left Behind, the highest proportion (12% of all) are being supported in Glasgow City, which is also the most populated Local Authority area. Fife supports the next highest proportion of participants (8%), followed by North Lanarkshire (6%). The lowest proportion of participants are often being supported in those Local Authority areas with the smallest populations, such as the Island authorities, however this is not always the case. It is worth noting that while population size can serve as a guide for understanding differences between Local Authorities, local labour market conditions will also be a significant factor for differences, as well as other employability support that may be available.

Overall, most participants being supported through No One Left Behind are aged under 25 (58%). However, this does vary by Local Authority area. Aberdeen City (58%), Inverclyde (56%), Aberdeenshire (54%) and West Dunbartonshire (51%) have a higher proportion of participants aged 25 and over. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (83%), East Ayrshire (72%) and West Lothian (71%) have the highest proportion of participants aged under 25.

Most participants supported through No One Left Behind are male (55%). However, there are more female participants in eight Local Authority areas, with the highest proportion in East Renfrewshire (57%) and Scottish Borders (56%).

Participants from a minority ethnic background represent 8% of all participants. The City of Edinburgh has the highest proportion (26%) of participants from a minority ethnic background, followed by East Renfrewshire (22%) and Glasgow City (14%).

Overall, 17% of participants supported through No One Left Behind have a disability. This varies by Local Authority. Clackmannanshire have the highest proportion (29%), followed by North Ayrshire (28%) and South Ayrshire (27%). Dundee City (3%) and Moray (3%) have the lowest proportion of participants with a disability.

Differences between Local Authorities will reflect the demographic profile of areas, local labour market conditions and/or targeted interventions in local areas.

SMF Theme 2 – Progression: To enable an individual’s progression towards fair work and sustained employment. Considering aspects such as improving well-being, confidence and motivation, maintaining or re-engaging with support, and developing aspirations and skills.

Of the 54,475 people supported under the No One Left Behind approach between April 2019 and December 2023, 17,242 people (32%) entered employment. Of those that entered employment; 5,315 people (31%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, 1,957 people (11%) started modern apprenticeships and 297 people (2%) entered self-employment.

Data on the number of people in employment at 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks was reported for the first time in October 2023. Of the 17,242 people that entered employment, 6,203 (36%) were in employment at 4 weeks, 6,153 (36%) at 13 weeks, 5,411 (31%) at 26 weeks, and 3,036 (18%) at 52 weeks after entering employment.

Additionally, 7,934 (15%) people  were supported entering further or higher education or training, 7,298 people (13%) gained a qualification, 2,609 people (5%) started work experience opportunities, 1,189 people (2%) started volunteering and 333 people (1%) re-engaged with school.

Please see supplementary Background and Methodology Report for definitions on employment at follow-up.

Figure 6: Most participants achieving an outcome enter employment

Outcomes achieved by No One Left Behind participants, April 2019 to December 2023

Please note, the following statistics on parents are from year 2 (April 2020) onwards. Of the 13,696 parents supported under the No One Left Behind approach, 3,583 (26%) entered employment. Of those; 430 (12%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, 73 (2%) started modern apprenticeships and 164 (5%) entered self-employment.

Data on parents in employment at 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks were reported for the first time in February 2024. Of the 3,583 parents that entered employment, 1,556 (43%) were in employment at 4 weeks, 1,524 (43%) at 13 weeks, 1,275 (36%) at 26 weeks, and 574 (16%) at 52 weeks.

Additionally, 1,192 parents were supported (9%) entering further or higher education or training, 1,886 (14%) gained a qualification, 291 (2%) started work experience and 211 (2%) started volunteering.

Please see supplementary Background and Methodology Report for definitions on employment at follow-up.

Figure 7: Most parents achieving an outcome enter employment

Outcomes achieved by No One Left Behind parents, April 2020 to December 2023

A total of 11,349 people aged under 25 entered employment. This is 36% of all under 25 participants. For those aged 25 and over, 5,841 entered employment. This is 26% of all participants aged 25 and over.

Of those people aged under 25 entering employment, 4,282 (38%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, while this was the case for 1,023 (18%) of those aged 25 and over. A higher proportion of people entering employment aged under 25 also started a modern apprenticeship (1,897; 17%) than for those aged 25 and over (57; 1%). The proportion of people aged 25 or over that entered self-employment (245; 4%) was higher than the proportion of those aged under 25 (50; less than 1%).

There was a little difference in the proportion of those under 25 gaining a qualification (4,447; 14%) compared to those 25 and over (2,830; 13%) but those under 25 were more likely to enter full time or higher education or training (6,117, 19%) than those in the older age group (1,780; 8%).

A total of 7,369 (30%) female participants entered employment compared to 9,785 (33%) male participants. Of those female participants entering employment, 2,017 (27%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, while this was the case for 3,271 (33%) of male participants. A similar proportion of female participants entering employment started a modern apprenticeship (757; 10%) compared to male participants (1193; 12%).

There was also a similar proportion of female participants gaining a qualification (3,028; 12%) compared to male participants (4,229; 14%) and female participants entering full time or higher education or training (3,539, 15%) compared to male participants (4,229; 15%).

A total of 962 (23%) participants from a minority ethnic background entered employment compared to 15,347 (33%) white participants. A lower proportion of participants from a minority ethnic background entering employment were supported by a subsidy to do so (139; 14%) compared to white participants (4,847; 32%). A lower proportion of participants from a minority ethnic background entering employment started a modern apprenticeship (60; 6%) compared to white participants (1,744; 11%), while proportions were similar for entering self-employment (2% for both groups).

There was a similar proportion of participants from a minority ethnic background gaining a qualification (585; 14%) compared to white participants (6,276; 14%) and participants from a minority ethnic background entering full time or higher education or training (583, 14%) compared to white participants (6,582; 14%).

A total of 2,125 (22%) participants with a disability entered employment compared to 13,334 (36%) of participants without a disability. Of those participants with a disability entering employment, 531 (25%) were supported by a subsidy to do so, compared to 4,327 (32%) of those without a disability. A lower proportion of disabled participants started a modern apprenticeship (205; 10%) compared to participants without a disability (1,580; 12%).

A similar proportion of disabled participants gained a qualification (1,238; 13%) compared to participants without a disability (5,217; 14%) and disabled participants entering full time or higher education or training (1,310, 14%) compared to participants without a disability (5,515; 15%).

Please see supplementary Background and Methodology Report for more detail on outcome definitions and criteria.