Scottish Unemployment Rate Rises

7, 000 more people were out of work between September and November last year, according to Office for National Statistics data.

It takes the jobless total to 158, 000 north of the border. The Scottish unemployment rate is 5.7%, which is just below the rate of 5.8% for the whole of the UK.

The labour market statistics also show employment in Scotland has rose slightly by 1,000 over the three months September to November. The number of those in employment in Scotland now stands at 2,612,000.

Meanwhile the latest Scottish GDP figures show the country's economy grew by 0.6% during the third quarter of 2014 and grew by 3.0% over the year to the end of Q3, 2014
 
The Secretary of State for Scotland Alistair Carmichael said:
 
"Today's employment figures show a record number of Scots in work, more women in employment than ever before and jobseekers allowance claimants at its lowest level since 2008.
 
"The UK Government has stuck to its long term economic plan, creating the right conditions to rebuild and rebalance our economy.  Together with the safety and security which comes from being part of the UK this has helped our businesses grow and create more sustainable jobs.  As a result, over the past four and half years employment rose by 167,000 and unemployment has fallen by 61,000. 
 
"It's also welcome news to see Scotland's economy continuing to grow, building on two successive years of economic growth.  The rise in unemployment over the past quarter highlight the challenges which remain.  Recent business surveys however show Scotland's economic growth is set to continue into 2015 and our labour market is expected to build further on the record numbers we have seen.  We will take responsibility to help those who fall out of work ensuring they can make the most of the opportunities being created in communities across the country."