SHOPS and businesses in Dunfermline are open again but there's a fear that unemployment could rise sharply when furlough and other support schemes come to an end.

Councillors were given a report on the town's economic profile last week and, while there are positive signs about the recovery from the pandemic, it came with a warning.

Fife Council's Peter Corbett told the City of Dunfermline area committee: "Overall, the good news is that most of the key sectors in the Dunfermline area are up and running at a very high level, between 90 and 100 per cent.

"One of the things to highlight though is that while in retail 92 per cent of businesses are up and running, around 25 per cent of their staff are still furloughed.

"The two worst-hit areas are accommodation and food services, only 35 per cent of businesses are currently trading and 65 per cent of staff are still furloughed.

"The arts, entertainment and recreation sector, another key area for Dunfermline, 51 per cent of businesses are up and running but 67 per cent of staff are still furloughed.

"That's one of the things we have to keep a very close eye on.

"What happens once those furlough schemes and support schemes put in place by the UK and Scottish governments start to be removed, what impact will that have on unemployment and claimant numbers and where do we need to target our support?"

The report said that Dunfermline's population was estimated to be just over 58,500 in 2018; 63 per cent are of working age, between 16 and 64.

There are around 28,000 jobs in Dunfermline, more than a fifth of the Fife total.

The highest number of jobs are in wholesale and the retail trade, including the repair of vehicles, with 4,000; then there's 3,500 in health and social work, 2,500 in financial and insurance services, 2,250 in information and communication, 2,250 in education, 2,000 in transportation and storage, 2,000 in accommodation and food services, 1,750 in manufacturing, 1,750 in professional, scientific and technical activities, and 1,750 in admin and support services.

Large employers in the Dunfermline area include NHS Fife, Amazon, Sky, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, Optos, CR Smith, Technip FMC, Tesco and Asda.

And Burger King, Costa Coffee and Greggs are set to open new units at Halbeath, although the town has lost Debenhams, the anchor store from the Kingsgate Shopping Centre, and Thorntons.

Mr Corbett, lead officer for economy, business and employability, told councillors: "Dunfermline has actually one of the best employment rates in Fife; it's 89.4 per cent, which is significantly higher than the rate for Fife, 71 per cent, and Scotland overall at 73 per cent, so that's good news for the area.

"Obviously, we've got to keep an eye on that as these figures are from January to December 2020 and, since the pandemic, a lot of that kind of employment is being masked by furlough schemes and other support arrangements put in place by the UK and Scottish governments."

Resident earnings – of those who live in the Dunfermline area but don't necessarily work here – was £632 per week last year while workplace earnings – of those who work in the Dunfermline area but don't necessarily live here – was £581.

"In terms of weekly earnings, Dunfermline and West Fife is doing particularly well compered to Fife and Scotland overall," he said.

"It highlights Dunfermline's position as a key commuter area to higher-earning jobs in the likes of Edinburgh and beyond, and also highlights Dunfermline's desirability as a place to live."