SCOTLAND is in the grip of an unemployment crisis, Labour has claimed, after figures showed 231,000 people out of work.
Statistics released yesterday revealed the jobless total rose by 19,000 from September to November, pushing the unemployment rate above the UK average.
Across the UK, jobless figures hit a 17-year high after a 118,000 jump to 2.68 million, the worst since the summer of 1994.
Scotland now has a jobless rate of 8.6% against the UK figure of 8.4% and young people have been badly hit.
The Scottish figures show what Labour leader Johann Lamont called a "lost generation" of 88,000 people aged between 18 and 24 without work, a rise of 8800 over the quarter.
The UK figure for unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds increased by 52,000 to 1.04 million, the highest since records began in 1992.
Ms Lamont said: "Scotland is in the grip of a national unemployment crisis, with figures reaching disaster levels and even worse than the rest of the UK. We face a toxic mix of unemployment and low growth. This needs a crisis response from the Scottish Government."
In December the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Scotland was 140,900, a decrease of 1400 over the month and the fourth consecutive monthly fall.
The UK figure increased by 1200 to 1.6 million, the highest for a year after the 10th consecutive monthly rise.
The number of 18 to 24-year-olds who have claimed JSA for over 12 months has increased by 123.3% in the last year, an overall rise of 2000.
Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs the figures were "hugely unwelcome" and promised to go "further and faster" to help people back into work.
Labour leader Ed Miliband said the "defining characteristic of this Government is it does nothing as thousands of people find themselves unemployed".
STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said: "The STUC's estimate of Scotland's full-time unemployment deficit suggests that over half a million people are unable to access the full-time employment they require to make ends meet."
Andy Willox, of the Federation of Small Businesses, warned it would be "all too easy for us all to become desensitised to yet another batch of grim unemployment statistics".
Conservative spokesman Gavin Brown claimed the figures showed Scotland was underperforming compared to the rest of the UK and LibDem leader Willie Rennie added the SNP should focus on unemployment rather than independence.
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "Scotland should know nothing will divert this Government from the challenges we face in creating long-term, sustainable jobs."
Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "We still have a position of higher employment and lower economic inactivity rates compared to the UK - but more needs to be done to improve employment opportunities."
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