BBC News - Unemployment in Wales rises by 6,000 to 127,000 - ONS 20 February 2013 Last updated at 10:52 Unemployment in Wales has risen by 6,000, in contrast to the UK jobless total which fell, official figures show. The number of people out of work in Wales increased to 127,000 during the last three months of 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says. But across the UK, unemployment fell by 14,000 over the same period. Wales' unemployment rate of 8.6% is also higher than the UK unemployment rate of 7.8%. These figures underline just how important it is that the United Kingdom and Welsh governments work closely together and align their policies to attract more investment and opportunities for businesses End Quote David Jones MP Welsh Secretary In the same period last year, unemployment in Wales fell to 124,000. Welsh Secretary David Jones said the figures showed the need for a "consistent and focused effort on creating the right environment for jobs and growth." He welcomed the fall in the claimant count, but called the figures "clearly disappointing." These figures underline just how important it is that the United Kingdom and Welsh governments work closely together and align their policies to attract more investment and opportunities for businesses both domestically and internationally. An all-Wales approach must be pursued to ensure that Wales' benefits from the improving labour market picture we see on an UK level. Janet Jones, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the Welsh figures were a worrying contrast to the whole of the UK. This significant increase is particularly disappointing following the downward trend of recent months in Wales, and shows how volatile the employment market continues to be. We know that small firms are more likely to hire the unemployed than larger companies - but SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are constrained by issues like lack of finance to be able to flourish.