The number of people out of work in Scotland dropped to 156,000 in the three months to November, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) said.

The internationally-recognised ILO measure has now been adopted as the main UK indicator of unemployment.

The figures show that 11,000 fewer people were out of work compared with the same period in the previous year.

Helen Liddell: Pleased

The traditional measure of unemployment - counting those out of work and claiming benefits - dropped through the 100,000 barrier for the first time since 1975.

Claimant count unemployment fell to 99,100 in December.

The ILO unemployment rate is down 0.5% over the year to 6.1%, while the claimant count rate stands at 4.0%.

Employment rose to 2,415,000, which is 74.5% of the working aged population in Scotland (up 0.8%).

Seasonally unadjusted

Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell said: "I am very pleased with the latest Scottish employment figures.

"This is testament to the success of the policies of the government and the Scottish Executive.

"Sound management of the economy and the determination of the Scottish Executive to raise levels of skills and training shows that partnership works to the benefit of all."

Due to the way the ILO figures are compiled it is not possible to compare seasonally unadjusted Scottish data for the latest three-month period with the preceding three-month period.