Scottish unemployment rate rises

The number of people unemployed in Scotland rose by 35,000 in the latest quarter to 179,000.

The government's figures for the three months to May said the Scottish jobless rate stood at 6.7%, below the UK average of 7.6%.

The number of people out of work had risen by 73,000 rise since the same quarter in 2008.

Other figures showed the number of people out of work and claiming benefit increased by 3,000 in June to 128,100.

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Diageo job plans 'not acceptable'

he first minister has signed a petition as part on the ongoing campaign to save 900 Scottish jobs under threat at drinks giant Diageo.

The company announced it would close its Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow two weeks ago.

On a visit to the Kilmarnock site Alex Salmond said Diageo's plans were "not acceptable to the Scottish people".

MPs are due to debate the closure proposals in the Commons later.

The former Defence and Scottish Secretary, Des Browne, who is also the Labour MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun, has secured an adjournment debate.

Campaigners have said the restructuring moves announced by the drinks manufacturer could be the ''thin end of the wedge'', and eventually whisky could end up being bottled outside Scotland.

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