The number of unemployed Scots has risen again, with new figures revealing 212,000 people are out of work.

Statistics released on Wednesday revealed a rise of 7000 between February and April. The total unemployment figure, which includes those not eligible for benefits, is 35,000 higher than in the same quarter last year.

The figures also reveal a slight drop in the number of people receiving jobseeker's allowance. The number of claimants dropped by 1,000 to 134,000 by May, 9000 higher than a year ago.

The unemployment rate now stands at eight percent, slightly above the UK-wide rate of 7.9%.

The figures also revealed the total number of Scots in work fell by 47,000 between February and April. The number of employed Scots now totals 2,432,000, which is 83,000 lower than in 2009.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "It is disappointing to see the Scottish labour market continuing to decline."

The Lib Dem politician said the figures highlighted the "stark economic legacy" the UK coalition Government had inherited. And he added the situation also showed "how urgently we have to get to grips with tackling the deficit and returning the UK to financial stability".

Mr Moore said: "We must take tough steps but in doing so will help restore confidence in our economy and support the recovery."

"This Government's aim is to get people back into work as quickly as possible and we will use all means at our disposal to make that happen quickly and effectively."

However, Holyrood Enterprise Minister Jim Mather pointed out it was the fourth month in a row the number claiming jobseekers' allowance had fallen.

He insisted that "Scotland is continuing to see fragile signs of recovery", although the jobless figures "demonstrate the fragility of the recovery".

The UK Government has announced £6 billion of spending cuts, although Scottish ministers have opted to make their share of these next year.

Mr Mather said: "We cannot take risks with jobs and recovery through precipitate spending cuts, on top of the cuts already imposed by the UK Government this year.

"These figures reinforce the importance of the Scottish Government deferring further cuts to next year in order to support recovery and maintain employment now."

He said the Scottish Government's priorities would be "investing in frontline services and creating and protecting jobs through the implementation of our economic recovery plan, which is directly supporting up to 15,000 jobs".

Mr Mather added: "Today's figures show that decisive action to support jobs and recovery is what Scotland needs, and is being delivered by this Government. And that is exactly what we will be looking for from the UK Chancellor in his Budget next week."

Speaking after publication of the latest figures, Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, described the rise in unemployment as "disappointing but not unexpected".

She said: "Unemployment tends to be a lagging indicator of our economic performance, and whilst we may have turned a corner back to a path of fragile growth, it may be some time before this translates into businesses having the confidence to grow their workforce."

Ms Cameron said that in the face of increasing pressure on public funds, the country was reliant on the private sector to create jobs and drive the economy. And she called on Tory Chancellor George Osborne to fulfil his pre-election pledge to scrap the proposed increase in National Insurance contributions in next week's Budget.

She said: "By backing business to create wealth, Government can help us boost the economy, create jobs and tackle the Budget deficit."

Meanwhile Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr said Scotland "is suffering more" than the UK.

He said: "Unemployment is a devastating experience. That's why I believe that the Scottish Government's single biggest priority should be to create jobs and get Scotland back to work.

"But today's figures highlight the fact that Scotland is suffering more in the recession due to the Salmond slump. We are lagging behind the rest of the UK in employment rates, business start-ups and economic recovery.

"The SNP have cancelled essential infrastructure projects, such as the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, and over £2 billion in investment has been lost along with 30,000 construction jobs because of their ideological objection to private finance."