Unemployment in Scotland Rose by 16,000 in Period October to December

Unemployment in Scotland rose by 16,000 in the three months from October to December to reach 231,000, according to official figures.

The Scottish jobless rate now stands at 8.6% - above the UK average of 8.4%.

Employment in Scotland fell by 20,000 over the quarter to reach 2,458,000.

Data from the Office for National Statistics also showed the number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) fell by 200 to 141,200 in January.

Scotland Office Minister David Mundell described the figures as "disappointing" and said they showed there were "many challenges ahead" for the Scottish and UK governments.

The Conservative MP said, "Each number we see today is not merely a statistic - it is an individual or family directly affected by unemployment.

"That is why we are determined to do all we can to create the right conditions for the private sector to create long-term, sustainable jobs.

"The increased international uncertainty makes it all the more critical for the whole of the UK economy to maintain market confidence."

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