THE number of unemployed Scots has risen by 5,000 in the last three recorded months.

Official figures show 120,000 were out of work between March and May – up from 115,000 in the previous quarter.

But the number of people with jobs rose slightly by 1,000 to 2.64 million.

Scotland's unemployment rate was 4.3 per cent over the period, up from 4.2% in the previous three months and 3.8% in the same quarter last year.

For the UK as a whole, the jobless rate for those aged 16 years and over was 4.2%.

Scotland’s fair work minister Jamie Hepburn said the country’s jobs market “remains strong despite the challenges facing our economy as a result of Brexit”.

He said: "Our employment rate has increased over the quarter and the year to 75.5% with 2,646,000 people now in work in Scotland - 82,000 more than the pre-recession peak.

"Once more, we continue to outperform the UK on employment for young people and women."

He said the Scottish Government's investment per head on economic development dwarfed that of the UK Government, with billions of pounds also pumped into infrastructure and skills development.

But Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokeswoman Carolyn Caddick branded the latest statistics “unbelievably discouraging”.

She said: “A jump of 5,000 in the number of people seeking work is monumental. The Scottish Government has let the economy stagnate for far too long.

“What we desperately need is investment in education and people’s well-being so we can make progress towards a high-skill, high-wage economy.”

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "Scotland's employment level has improved and this is good news for people who have the safety and security of a job.

"However, this rate is still below that of the rest of the UK and I urge the Scottish Government to use its powers to help more people into work and strengthen Scotland's economy. The UK Government is ready to work closely and constructively with the Scottish Government on this."