Scotland scores high for jobless people in West Europe
It might be really strange to know that Scotland is loosing jobs at a faster rate in Western Europe with the impact of recession forcing employers to resort to layoffs in order to sustain their businesses. As per reports over 10,000 people lost their jobs in the last quarter ’09, which takes us to the present figure of 206,000 with previous years figure of 140,000.
The upward trend in the rate of jobless people has come up as one of the major concern for Scotland. Meanwhile economists suggests that this could be due to the historical nature of Scotland for lagging behind the rest of the UK. But if we compare the present figures for the jobless people in UK we can find that 7.6 per cent of people are out of job in Scotland with UK wide figure of jobless people standing at 7.8 per cent. Even analysis done by ONS has reported that Scotland’s rate of increase stands out to be the highest across the continent with just four countries including Greece, Estonia, Latvia and Romania succeeding Scotland rate of jobless people.
This report has come out to be a disappointment not only for the people of Scotland but also for the government who needs to tackle this problem soon. Liz Cameron, Chief Executive Scottish Chambers of Commerce said, “It is concerning we appear to be lagging against the reductions in unemployment being experienced in the rest of the UK. It may be some time before improving business.”
It is strongly felt that, if this problem is not addressed soon, then it might be a major setback for the ruling party and even a serious concern for the next elections. While SNP ministers have come out claiming the UK government needs to continue to spend to sustain the economy, the Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said, “ “The figures clearly demonstrate the compelling case for an economic stimulus package in the UK. Now time will tell who will decide the fate of those jobless people in Scotland.
News Source : The Scotsman
The Waverley railway line to be reopened
The Borders railway link bill,which was passed recently will ensure the reopening of the Borders rail line that ran between Edinburgh and Tweedbank near Galashiels , which was closed way back in 1969. The total project cost is expected to be over £295m and the project will take off in 2011 and is expected to be completed in 2014. The MSPs approved the Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill by 114 votes to one, with one abstention.
The new rail line that extends from Newcraighall in Edinburgh to Tweedbank. will have stations at Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, and Galashiels. The railway line will not only improve the accessibility with the border towns but will also improve tourism prospects by way of chartered train trips, which will be of economic benefit as well. Nonethless, claims that the reopened rail line would rake up £500,000 annually by way of tourism revenue have received a mixed public response.
The train service would make it easier for people based in Stirling or Glasgow to visit the region and will take off hundreds of cars from the Edinburgh roads, considerably reducing the emissions. Apart from the green reasons, this railway project will be a boon to the border residents to travel to Edinburgh and other cities, which at present is connected only by day time coach trips, which is time consuming and strenuous.
The old timers who share a nostalgic memory of the romantic Waverley Line is excited at the thought that these are being brought back to life. Many feel that an orient express theme would be a good idea to go back in time and space to the era of Sir Walter Scott!