UNEMPLOYMENT RISES IN MORAY.

The Number of people out of work in Moray has risen by five per cent.

Figures show 965 claimants in February 2016, compared to only 920 in January.

This figure also shows an increase on February 2015, when 930 were claiming.

"Increased figures could be down to seasonal jobs coming to an end" said one member of Elgin Job Centre.

"The slow down in the oil industry could also be a major factor."

Aberdeenshire, Angus and Shetland have also reported very similar figures.

Employment figures were more encouraging for people aged 18-25.

Although figures showed 265 claimants in February and an increase of 75 from the month before, it was still down by 40 from the same month last year.

Elgin Job Centre are currently preparing jobseekers for work within construction as they believe that construction work may flourish in the near future.