Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show unemployment in Scotland fell by 8,000 to 156,000 in the August to October quarter.

The official unemployment rate fell to 5.6% over the quarter, down from 5.9%.

The ONS said employment in Scotland now stood at 2,615,000, up 3,000 for the quarter and up 10,000 for the year.

Scotland’s employment rate has increased to 74.3%, with the level of employment in Scotland now 71,000 higher compared to the same period in 2008.

The Scottish Government said the overall rate of economic inactivity fell over both the quarter and the year, and that Scotland continues to outperform the UK on employment and inactivity rates.

Further, the Scottish Government said figures released by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) show that “in the initial destinations” for 2014/15, a record 92.9% of school leavers are “going into positive destinations” and that Scotland’s youth employment level increased by 20,000 over the year.

Youth employment was at its highest August to October level since 2008 and the youth unemployment level fell to its lowest August to October figure since 2008, the Scottish Government said.

“There is rising employment, a fall in unemployment and further excellent news for youth employment,” said Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training (pictured above in blue.)

“The youth employment figures are particularly welcome as we note an increase in the number of school leavers heading to initial positive destinations, which is now at a record 92.9%.

“However, we are not complacent, as we recognise that a number of challenges remain beneath the encouraging headline figures.

“While economic growth has been driven in part by infrastructure investment by the Scottish public sector, UK Government plans to implement a damaging fiscal mandate still threaten to derail our growth.

“Real terms cuts on Scotland every year imposed by the Chancellor every year from now until 2020 mean than we are facing tough choices ahead of the Scottish Government’s Budget later today.”