Around 9000 fewer Scots are out of work as the unemployment rate in Scotland dropped to 3.7% - lower than the UK rate.

The number of people unemployed in Scotland was 100,000 between August and October, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The jobless rate dropped to 3.7% among people aged between 16 and 64, from 4% in the three months before – fractionally lower than the UK average of 3.8%.

Scotland last outstripped the UK earlier in 2019 when it recorded a 3.1% rate north of the border between February and April, before rising to 4%.

The number of people in work in Scotland this quarter fell by 21,000, to 2,648,000 – an employment rate of 74.5% - but this was matched by a rise of around 34,000 of people considered “economically inactive”, such as students, the long-term sick and long-term carers.

Business minister Jamie Hepburn said: "These statistics indicate that Brexit may be negatively impacting employment in Scotland.

"However, there are signs of resilience in our labour market and positive results for those out of work.

"Scotland's unemployment rate fell slightly over the year and is now just below the UK rate overall."

He added the Scottish Government's economic action plan and preparations for Brexit will "help build economic resilience by offering grants and advice to support businesses to face the challenges ahead".

But Hepburn added: "Of course, Brexit remains the biggest threat to jobs, businesses and our economy.

"That is why the Scottish Government has consistently been clear that the best option for the future well-being and prosperity of Scotland, and the UK as a whole, is to stay in the European Union."