Welsh unemployment rises to 4.5%

The unemployment rate in Wales rose to 4.5% between January and March on the previous quarter, according to the latest official figures.

The UK figure fell to 3.8%, and Wales was the only part of the UK where unemployment increased.

The rate of people in work in Wales fell on the previous quarter to 75.4%, compared with 76.1% for the UK.

However the Welsh employment rate was still higher than 12 months before, with 34,000 more people in work.

The lowest unemployment rate in the UK was the south-west of England, which includes Bristol, at 2.4%, while the highest rate was 5.4% in the north-east of England.

Unemployment in Wales was 4.1% between October and December.

The UK government's Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns focused on the increase in employment over the previous year.

"Once again, the Welsh economy continues to show impressive growth with Wales experiencing the largest increase in the rate of employment of any part of the UK in the last year," he said.

He added the figures were "testament to the UK government's commitment to creating the right conditions for economic growth and job creation across Wales in our businesses and enterprises".

Wales' Economy Minister Ken Skates also pointed to the improved employment rate over the year, but said there was " no doubt that these are challenging and uncertain times for business".

He said continued support from the Welsh Government and its public bodies Business Wales and the Development Bank of Wales was "providing cause for optimism", but the UK government's "continued chaotic approach to Brexit is having the opposite effect".