Figures revealed in a parliamentary question have shown that a combined 1141 jobs were lost in agriculture and manufacturing last year in Mid-Scotland and Fife.
Broken down by Scottish Parliamentary constituency the information showed that 241 jobs were lost in agriculture and 900 in manufacturing. The highest number of agricultural losses was felt in the Stirling and Perthshire North constituencies.
Manufacturing losses were felt hardest in the traditional manufacturing heartlands of Clackmannanshire and Dunblane and Fife and Glenrothes.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, Liz Smith, has expressed concern that there could be even greater agricultural losses in Mid-Scotland and Fife next year as a result of the CAP payments debacle.
Commenting Liz Smith MSP said:
“These statistics have demonstrated the insecurity of employment in agriculture and manufacturing across Mid-Scotland and Fife, and the Scottish Government must use this analysis to better support local industry.
“Across Scotland the number of jobs in agriculture jobs is at the lowest level since 2007 and there are concerns that the 2016 figure could drop even further following the Government’s disastrous handling of CAP payments.
“In Perth and Kinross and Fife agricultural jobs are the backbone of the economy and hardworking people in this sector deserve better from the SNP.
“Much more needs to be done by the SNP Government to attract and retain local businesses and local jobs. Their current piecemeal approach is failing these sectors, at a time when Perth and Kinross, Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire needs bold action.”