The economy in Scotland is only growing at a third of the rate of that of the UK as a whole, figures show.

The latest GDP data reveals Scotland's economic output increased by 0.2% in the period July to September 2016, compared to a rise of 0.6% for the UK as a whole.

There was a similar difference in the annual figures, with growth in Scotland for the 12 months up to September amounting to 0.7%, while the UK saw a rise of 2.2% over the same period.

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The figures - which have been described by economists and business leaders as "disappointing" and "grim" - were published at the same time as separate statistics showing unemployment north of the border is rising while the number of Scots in work falls.

Although the UK and Scotland saw similar levels of growth in 2013 and 2014, the Scottish GDP figures reveal "the UK has seen stronger growth than Scotland in 2015 and 2016".

GDP growth in Scotland for the period April to June 2016, which had previously been reported as 0.4%, was also revised down in the bulletin to 0.2%.

The service sector, which accounts for about three-quarters of Scotland's economy, grew by 0.4% in the period July to September 2016. However the production sector declined by 0.1% and construction shrunk by 1.4% over the same period.

Economist John McLaren said: "The latest Scottish GDP figures are grim. Not only was quarter-three bad but quarter-two has also been revised down.

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"This continues the longer term sluggish performance of the Scottish economy over the last three years relative to the UK."

Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, urged Holyrood ministers to do more to help make businesses in Scotland more competitive than their UK counterparts.

She added: "It is very disappointing that Scotland's economic growth slowed in the third quarter of 2016 and continues to trail the UK as a whole, where growth remained steady during the same period."

Scottish Secretary David Mundell also urged SNP ministers in Edinburgh to use their devolved powers to "secure and strengthen Scotland's economy".

He added: "Whereas across the UK the news is better, here in Scotland unemployment is up, employment is down and Scotland's economy continues to lag behind that of the UK."

Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown said the figures show "continued overall economic growth for Scotland's economy in the months following the EU referendum vote, with the service sector leading the way".

He added: "There is no doubt that businesses have faced increased economic uncertainty in the months following the EU referendum result, and Scotland is not immune to these risks.

"Output in the construction sector is still 13% higher than it was in quarter-three 2014, leaving us in a relatively strong position, and the Scottish Government has set out a programme of investment in infrastructure, including fast-tracking £100 million of public spending to continue to support the sector.

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"The Scottish Government has set out our commitment to protecting Scotland's interests, including maintaining access to the single market which is vital in order to protect the thousands of jobs that are directly linked to it. It also ensures our firms have access to the EU workforce they need, and to pursue the collaboration and funding that is so essential to our future prosperity."

Professor Graeme Roy, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute economic think tank at Strathclyde University, said: "Today's economic statistics are clearly disappointing and represent the continuation of a worrying trend of the Scottish economy lagging behind the rest of the UK.

"Growth of just 0.2% in quarter-three of 2016 is just one third of that of the UK as a whole. Moreover, the Scottish estimate for quarter-two - which at the time we noted was surprisingly strong - has also been revised down.

"This means that Scottish growth over the year now stands at just 0.7% compared to 2.2% for the UK as a whole. Manufacturing remains especially weak with a decline of over 5% over the last 12 months."