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Scottish unemployment total rises by 18,000 Scottish unemployment total rises by 18,000
(about 3 hours later)
Scotland's jobless total increased by 18,000 between June and August to stand at 170,000, according to official figures.Scotland's jobless total increased by 18,000 between June and August to stand at 170,000, according to official figures.
The rise contrasted with a fall of 79,000 in UK unemployment, to 1.7 million, over the same period.The rise contrasted with a fall of 79,000 in UK unemployment, to 1.7 million, over the same period.
The Scottish jobless rate stands at 6.1%, compared with 5.4% for the whole of the UK.The Scottish jobless rate stands at 6.1%, compared with 5.4% for the whole of the UK.
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed employment in Scotland falling by 6,000 to 2,610,000.Office for National Statistics (ONS) data also showed employment in Scotland falling by 6,000 to 2,610,000.
The number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance increased by 500 between August and September, to stand at 71,000.The number of people claiming Job Seeker's Allowance increased by 500 between August and September, to stand at 71,000.
'Challenges remain''Challenges remain'
The UK government's Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "The figures released today show the challenges which remain to ensure households in every part of our country benefit from a growing economy.The UK government's Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "The figures released today show the challenges which remain to ensure households in every part of our country benefit from a growing economy.
"There can be no doubt there is still hard work to undertake to build on the UK government's long-term economic plan which has tackled a record deficit and laid the foundations for a stronger and more stable economy.""There can be no doubt there is still hard work to undertake to build on the UK government's long-term economic plan which has tackled a record deficit and laid the foundations for a stronger and more stable economy."
The Scottish government said Scotland outperformed the UK as a whole on employment, youth employment and female employment.The Scottish government said Scotland outperformed the UK as a whole on employment, youth employment and female employment.
Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that with the increase in the unemployment rate, it was important to sustain public sector investment to strengthen business confidence and deliver economic recovery.Scottish Deputy First Minister John Swinney said that with the increase in the unemployment rate, it was important to sustain public sector investment to strengthen business confidence and deliver economic recovery.
He added: "While Scotland has now seen three years of continuous economic growth, and continues to exceed the UK in the total employment rate and in youth and female employment rates, today's figures show that there remain serious challenges to economic recovery."He added: "While Scotland has now seen three years of continuous economic growth, and continues to exceed the UK in the total employment rate and in youth and female employment rates, today's figures show that there remain serious challenges to economic recovery."
'Worrying statistics'
Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) general secretary Grahame Smith said: "There's no hiding the fact that this is a particularly worrying set of statistics.
"Unemployment is now back on a clear upward trend and working age employment is lower than it was a year ago.
"Whilst it is difficult to be precise about why Scotland's labour market performance is increasingly weak relative to the rest of the UK, it is highly likely that job losses in the oil and gas sector are now having a tangible impact on the aggregate statistics."