The unemployment rate in Scotland has fallen to 3.3%, with employment up by 0.3%, according to official statistics.
ONS figures published on Tuesday show that the total number of people employed in Scotland rose to a record 2,688,000 between December last year and February 2019 - up from 2,671,000 in the previous period.
It represents an employment rate of 75.6% across the country.
A total of 93,000 working-age people were unemployed during the period, down from 101,000 between September and November last year.
Across the UK, the unemployment rate was 3.9% - down by 0.1% on the previous quarter and lower than at any time since the end of 1975.
Economy Secretary Derek Mackay said: "Despite the huge and continued challenges of Brexit, the Scottish economy and jobs market continues to strengthen," said Mackay.
"While Scotland's economy and job market continues to grow, the UK Government's Brexit plans, in whatever form, will cost jobs, make people poorer and damage our society.
"It is essential the extension granted by the EU is used constructively and not wasted.
"The ongoing talks over the EU exit must include the devolved administrations, and for any deal agreed by the UK Parliament to be put to a second referendum.
"However, as a responsible government we will also continue our work to prepare for all outcomes as best we can."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel