UNEMPLOYMENT in the Borders has gone against the national grain by increasing from last summer.

Politicians across Britain have been welcoming the latest Labour Market Statistics which shows unemployment tumbling across Britain.

The biggest fall during the three months from June to the end of August has been recorded in Scotland - reaching its lowest figures since 2008.

But the Borders has seen a two per cent increase from the same period last year in people looking for jobs - up 25 to 1080.

Local officials believe the disappointing results are down to additional school leavers.

And they predict a brighter future as the weak pound, due to the recent Brexit vote, is bringing in more and more overseas tourists.

Elaine Brown from Jobcentre Plus in Galashiels told us: "Despite the results we are still on solid ground in the Scottish Borders.

"There is expectation that a small increase can happen with the number of school leavers, but there are a lot of jobs out there at the moment and we are confident that the unemployment figure will come down."

Although the year on year figures have shown a slight increase in the Scottish Borders, there is a 43 per cent reduction (801) from the 2010 figures for the same three months.

And the number of 18-to-24 year olds, which has increased by seven per cent (20) from last year, is down by 45 per cent (210) from the 2010 figures.

Ms Brown added: "The construction and care sectors are both doing particularly well in the Borders just now, and the hospitality sector has taken a boost from the weakness of the pound. We are seeing more and more jobs in the hospitality sector."

Across Scotland figures for the period June to August showed 127,000 people were out of work, 44,000 fewer than the same period in 2015.

The new unemployment rate was recorded as being 4.6 per cent, lower than the UK rate of 4.9 per cent.

While unemployment fell, the Office for National Statistics data also shows employment declined over the same period.

Between June and August 2016 the number of people in work decreased by 8,000 to 2,618,000 – although this total was still 7,000 higher than the same period in 2015.

Holyrood employability minister Jamie Hepburn was visiting Schofield Dyers and Finishers in Galashiels, which employs 55, when the figures were announced this week.

He said: “Despite continuing economic concerns following the EU referendum result, these latest statistics show our policies and investment are helping to reduce unemployment.

“We will not be complacent and are absolutely committed to taking action to tackle inequalities and increase employment rates.”

Tweeddale MP David Mundell greeted the latest figures with a mixed response.

He told: “I am pleased to see unemployment falling again in Scotland and it is now at its lowest level since 2008.

“But it is worrying that employment is down and more people are dropping out of the labour market in Scotland when the rest of the UK is seeing employment up.”