Unemployment in Scotland falls by 8,000

Latest data from the Office of National Statistics shows that UK unemployment also fell during the same period.

The number of unemployed Britons fell by 110,000 to reach 1.71 million over the same period, the ONS said.

The unemployment rate in Scotland is now 5.6 per cent, compared with the UK figure of 5.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, employment in Scotland increased by a total of 3,000 over the three months and has now reached 2,615,000.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance fell by 1,900 between October and November, to 66,700. The total is 20,200 lower than a year ago.

The UK government’s Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “These latest figures paint a positive picture with employment in Scotland growing and unemployment falling.

“The UK government is helping more people into work, we are letting people hold on to more of their pay and we are also introducing the National Living Wage next year.

“We are moving to a higher wage, lower tax society with historically high numbers of people in work.

“Scotland is playing our full part in helping to grow the UK economy and create opportunities for more people.”

Holyrood’s Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am very pleased to note this month’s figures, which reinforce the positive longer-term trends in Scotland’s labour market, notwithstanding recent and ongoing volatility.

“There is rising employment, a fall in unemployment and further excellent news for youth employment.

“The youth employment figures are particularly welcome as we note an increase in the number of school leavers heading to initial positive destinations, which is now at a record 92.9 per cent.

“However, we are not complacent, as we recognise that a number of challenges remain beneath the encouraging headline figures.”