New official figures show Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) claimants in Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire have fallen by nearly 3000 over the last year.
The fall represents a reduction in JSA claimants by 0.8% which now stands at 2.2% down from 3% last year.
The employment rate for the region is now 72.5%, which compares favourably to the Scottish figure of 72% and the UK wide figure of 71.9%.
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said:
“These figures show that the UK Government’s long term economic plan is working, building a stronger, healthier economy.
“With more people in work in Mid-Scotland and Fife and Job Seekers Allowance claimants down, more households and families have the security of a pay packet.
“Perth and Kinross and Stirling continue to perform well when compared to Scotland and the rest of the UK, but we need to stick to the economic plan which is delivering a strong economic recovery from Labour’s Great Recession.”