SCOTLAND’S unemployment total fell to 115,000 in the three months between April and June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The number of people not in work decreased from 118,000 in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the number of people in employment rose by 12,000 to 2.642 million.

Scotland’s unemployment rate was 4.2% over the period, down slightly from 4.3% in the previous three months and up from 3.9% in the same quarter last year.

Fair Work Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “These are welcome figures. Scotland’s economy and jobs market remains strong despite the continued challenges facing our economy as a result of Brexit uncertainty.

“On female and youth employment, we continue to outperform the UK with an employment rate of 71.6% for women, higher than the UK rate of 71%, and a youth employment rate of 56.2%, higher than the UK rate of 53.8%.

“We are investing a record £2.4 billion in enterprise and skills, £4bn in infrastructure and delivering the most competitive package of rates relief in the UK, including the Small business bonus, which to date has saved Scottish firms almost £1.5bn.”

The ONS figures show the unemployment rate for people aged 16 years and over was 4% in the UK.

Scotland’s employment rate for those of working age – 16 to 64-years-old – stood at 78.5%.

Liz Cameron, Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive, said: “In Scotland, although the unemployment rate has decreased by 0.1% on the quarter, Scotland is one of only four regions in the UK to observe an increase over the year on unemployment, of 0.3%.

“However, the rate remains close to historic lows, at 4.2%. In further positive news, the youth unemployment rate across the UK has fallen to 11.3%, the lowest rate observed since records began in 1992, with Scotland’s rate even lower.”

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “Today’s labour market statistics show that more people have the safety and security of a job, which is welcome news.

“But I am concerned that these numbers show a worsening unemployment picture over the year.

“With Scotland’s economy continuing to lag behind the rest of the UK, it is important that the Scottish Government take the necessary steps to create the right conditions to grow our economy.”