The statistics have highlighted that the UK employment rate was estimated at 76.2%, 0.4 percentage points higher than a year earlier but little changed on the previous quarter.

Despite just reaching a new record high, the employment rate has been broadly flat over the last few quarters.

The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 3.8%, 0.3 percentage points lower than a year earlier but largely unchanged on the previous quarter.

The data also revealed that the UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 20.8%, 0.2 percentage points lower than a year earlier but largely unchanged on the previous quarter.

Estimated annual growth in average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain slowed to 3.2% for total pay (including bonuses) and 3.5% for regular pay (excluding bonuses); the annual growth in total pay was weakened by unusually high bonus payments paid in October 2018 compared with more typical average bonus payments paid in October 2019.

In real terms (after adjusting for inflation), annual growth in total pay is estimated to be 1.5%, and annual growth in regular pay is estimated to be 1.8%.

There were an estimated 794,000 vacancies in the UK for September to November 2019; 20,000 fewer than last quarter and 59,000 fewer than a year earlier.

Commenting on the ONS labour market statistics update, Jamie Hepburn, business minister, said: “These statistics indicate that Brexit may be negatively impacting employment in Scotland. However, there are signs of resilience in our labour market and positive results for those out of work. Scotland’s unemployment rate fell slightly over the year and is now just below the UK rate overall.

“As set out in the Programme for Government, we will continue to make Scotland’s workplaces fairer through our actions to reduce the disability employment gap, tackle the gender pay gap and demonstrate leadership in tackling race inequality in employment. Our Future Skills Action Plan supports this ambition and will help ensure Scotland has a skilled and productive workforce which is resilient to future economic challenges.

“Of course, Brexit remains the biggest threat to jobs, businesses and our economy. That is why the Scottish Government has consistently been clear that the best option for the future wellbeing and prosperity of Scotland, and the UK as a whole, is to stay in the European Union.”