Welsh unemployment up 3,000 in three months to February

Unemployment in Wales has risen by 3,000 in the last quarter to 126,000, which is 5,000 lower than the same period last year.

The latest figures for the three months to the end of February put the unemployment rate at 8.6% - above the UK average of 7.8%.

According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, it is the fifth monthly rise for Wales.

Across the UK, unemployment fell 17,000 to 2.48m.

Figures show the highest rate of unemployment in Wales in recent years was 133,000, as a result of the recession.

The number of people estimated to be economically inactive in Wales - 487,000 - is down 9,000 on the quarter.