New official figures show employment in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire has risen by 8,000 under the Conservative UK Government.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show employment in the region stands at 316,000 or 74.5%. This is a rise of 8,000 since May 2011.
Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants in the region also continues to fall with 1540 fewer claimants compared to last year. The figures also compare well to Scotland as a whole, where employment now stands at 73.2%.
Murdo Fraser MSP has said the figures show that the region is benefitting from the UK’s economic recovery, but has also warned against complacency in light of the productivity gap between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“These positive figures show that the UK Government’s long term economic plan continues to deliver results, building a stronger, healthier economy throughout the Mid-Scotland and Fife electoral region.
“Policies like tax cuts for businesses, the cap on benefits and cuts to income tax for low earners mean more people across Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire are moving into work with the security of a pay packet.
“Now that the Scottish Parliament is getting huge powers over tax and welfare, the SNP must set out how it is going to protect people’s jobs and ensure that more and more people find work.”