Unemployment rose in Scotland between November and January, with the rate now matching that of the UK as a whole.

Over the three-month period, the jobless rate north of the border increased by 0.2 percentage points from the previous quarter to 4.3%, the same rate as the UK.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows 118,299 Scots aged 16 and over were out of work during the quarter, up by almost 5,000 on the previous three months.

INDUSTRY Unemployment(PA Graphics)

Despite the increase, there was a rise of 24,000 in unemployment, to 1.45 million, following a similar jump in the previous quarter.

Unemployment is 127,000 lower than a year ago, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and is at a record low for men aged 25 to 34.

INDUSTRY Unemployment(PA Graphics)

Meanwhile, the number of people employed in Scotland fell slightly from the previous quarter to 2,644,479.

Scotland's employability minister Jamie Hepburn said: "While these results do show a slight decrease in employment over the quarter, our employment rate has increased over the year and the longer term.

"Once more, we continue to outperform the UK on employment and unemployment rates for young people and women, 71.5.% of women and 58.8 % of young people are in employment in Scotland compared to 70.9% of women and 54.5% of young people in the UK."