The Number Of Scots In Work Drops
The number of Scots who are in work has dropped by 12,000 in three months, new figures have revealed.
Employment in Scotland fell to 2,612,000 in the period May to July, although the total is still 4,000 higher than the same time last year.
While 74% of Scots are in work, the unemployment rate north of the border is higher than the UK average, at 5.9% compared to 5.5%.
The jobless total, which includes those who are out of work and not eligiblefor benefits, remained unchanged at 164,000 in the three months from May to July, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Meanwhile, the number of people who are not in work and claiming jobseeker's allowance last month was 69,800 - a drop of 2,300 from July and 20,7000 lower than in August 2014.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell insisted the UK Government's long-term plan "has laid the foundations for a stronger economy''.
Mr Mundell said: "It is almost exactly a year since Scotland made the historic decision to remain part of the UK.
"In those 12 months we have seen further improvements in the Scottish Labour market with employment increasing and unemployment falling.
"The UK Government is committed to a lower tax and higher wage economy for those in work and since 2010 we have 175,000 more people working in Scotland.
"Being part of the larger UK economy provides more opportunities and more security for people in Scotland. Scotland made the right decision last September.''