KINGLASSIE MSP Jenny Gilruth has welcomed new figures showing unemployment has fallen in Fife – as unemployment across Scotland falls to the lowest rate ever recorded.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that Scotland’s employment rate for October to December 2018 fell to 3.5%, a record low and lower than the UK rate of 4%.

ONS analysis estimates that the unemployment rate in Fife was 4.2% for Oct 2017-Sep 2018, a fall of 0.1% year on year.

Commenting, Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife, said: “These are encouraging figures that show unemployment falling in the Kingdom – as the latest figures show record low unemployment across Scotland.

“Despite the huge and continued challenges of Brexit, the Scottish economy and jobs market continues to strengthen.

“But Brexit continues to be an enormous threat to jobs in Fife and across Scotland – and local employers will be concerned at the complete lack of clarity this close to leaving the EU".

The SNP MSP added: “The Scottish Government are offering stability and certainty through our budget which supports jobs and businesses.

“The UK Government must do the same by ruling out a ‘no deal’ Brexit that would be economically disastrous.”