Figures released by the Office for National Statistics have shown that despite a fall in unemployment across the UK in Scotland it has risen by 4,000 between July and September. Similarly whilst employment in the UK has risen there has been a fall of 27,000 north of the border.

Locally the amount of people claiming job seekers allowance in Mid Scotland and Fife stands at over 15,000. Kirkcaldy has the highest number of claimants in the region with 6.2% of the population on job seekers allowance, this compares with a national average across Scotland of 3.9%. Other areas in the Kingdom with a higher than national average for job seeker claimants includes Mid Fife and Glenrothes with 4.6% and Cowdenbeath with 4.5%.

Youth unemployment has also risen sharply over the last quarter in Scotland, increasing by 10,000 amongst 16 to 24 year old.

Commenting on the new figures, local MSP Claire Baker said:

“What we are seeing across Fife is the consequences of the actions taken by the Scottish Government. The people of Kirkcaldy have the skills and resources to work but the SNP aren’t giving them the opportunities. We need investment in jobs and education instead we see the queues at the job centre and on college waiting lists growing.

“Kirkcaldy now has, on average, almost double the amount of job seeker claimants than across the whole of Scotland. Unemployment is going up, employment is going down and the SNP are currently in a complete shambles over college places and budgets.