The number of Scots out of work has risen in the past three months, new figures have revealed.

The increase of 6,000 compares to a fall of 7,000 across the entire UK.

Scottish Labour has called for the SNP to end the uncertainty facing Scotland’s economy by removing the threat of a second independence referendum.

Scottish Labour economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:

“After a decade of SNP government, the Scottish economy is not working.  Scotland is lagging behind the UK in virtually every area of economic performance -; and the latest figures show another rise in unemployment, while it is falling across the entire UK.

“SNP ministers in Edinburgh need to get their focus back on growing our economy rather than planning a divisive second independence referendum which will just create more uncertainty for business. It’s time to take that threat off the table.

“These figures come the day after a new report found that wealth inequality has grown on the SNP’s watch.

“Labour wants the SNP government to commission a study into economic inactivity in Scotland. It is one of the biggest challenges facing our labour market, but Nationalist ministers would prefer to ignore it.

“The SNP-Green budget will take the cuts to £1.5 billion since 2011. Rather than carrying on the cuts we should be using the new tax powers of the Scottish Parliament to invest in our economy instea