Unemployment in Wales rises while it falls across UK

Unemployment rose a little in Wales between July and September compared with the previous three months, while it fell across the UK as a whole.

In Wales, 93,000 people were out of work, up from 90,000 between April and June.

The unemployment rate in Wales rose to 6.1%, higher than the UK rate of 5.3%.

The number of people working in Wales fell by 6,000 in the last three months but is 44,000 more than a year ago.

Across the UK there are more people working than since records began in 1971.

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said it was "a disappointing set of figures for Wales, especially when the rest of the UK is moving in the right direction".

But he added: "Today's figures show clearly the need to stick to the UK Government's long term strategy and vision to keep the Welsh economy on track.

"I am determined that we will not slip behind."

A Welsh government spokesman said: "Our policies are succeeding to get more people into employment in Wales.

"Year on year, the employment rate in Wales has increased strongly to a near historic high level, while economic inactivity has declined more sharply in Wales than anywhere else across the UK and is close to a record low."