New job figures released

Scotland continues to have a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the UK according to new figures.

Across the UK, unemployment rose by 21,000 between December 2015 and February 2016 to 1.7 million. In Scotland the number out of work, including those not eligible for benefits, rose to 171,000 for the quarter.

The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, were released just two months after the number of Scots in work reached a record high.

It showed Scotland’s unemployment rate was worse than the UK figure, standing at 6.2% north of the border compared to 5.1%.

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “Through steps like introducing the National Living Wage, increasing childcare support and creating 3 million apprenticeships by 2020, this Government is committed to doing everything it can to get even more people into work and support economic growth.”