Figures reveal higher Highland unemployment level
14 January 2013
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant is highlighting figures from the
Office of National Statistics (ONS) "model-based
" unemployment estimates for local authorities which show an
unemployment rate for the Highland council area of 4.7 per cent compared
with the 2.8 per cent rate from the ONS's monthly claimant count for Job
Seekers Allowance. (JSA) .
The figures are compiled on a different basis.
Using both sets of figures provides a fuller picture of unemployment in
the area than the JSA figures alone.
The number of claimants for Job Seekers Allowance in the Highland
Council area In November stood at 3,911 or 2.8 per cent.
The latest ONS' additional "model-based" figure
for unemployment in the Highlands records the level at 5,600 or 4.7 per
cent.
This refers to the period July 2011-June 2012.
Rhoda Grant said,
" These more comprehensive figures are worrying and emphasise the need
to grow the Highland economy to put it on the road to recovery.
"We need growth in the Highlands on the grounds of both fairness and
prosperity.
"Unemployment is wasteful and soul destroying to those who find
themselves out of work.
"Scottish Labour have repeatedly asked the Scottish Government to
reinstate the housing budget in order to kick start construction and
provide jobs and training throughout the region.
"If the necessary investment is made now, then this will provide
benefits to the area through jobs now and through infrastructure in the near future."
Darling Argues the case for the Union in Inverness
8 January 2013
One of the most senior figures within the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling MP, is visiting Inverness today to present the case for remaining within the Union, to the people of the Highland Capital.
As part of the visit Mr Darling will be giving a speech on Better Together and laying out his vision for Scotland as part of the United Kingdom.
During his visit he plans to meet former forces members at the Royal British Legion Club in Huntly Street, Inverness.
David Stewart MSP, who was previously a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Alistair Darling MP during his time as Secretary of State for Scotland is delighted the visit it taking place.
Commenting on the visit Mr Stewart said, “During my political career I have always had a keen interest in armed forces and during my time at Westminster.
" I had the honour through the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, to ‘serve ‘with the RAF.
"I had placements at RAF Lossie and Kinloss, as well as in Basra, and flew in a Tornado, Nimrod and Sea King search and rescue aircraft.”
He continued, “I have a personal attachment to the services through my father who did his national service with the Royal Air Force as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, and his first posting was at Kinloss.”
The event at the Royal British Legion Club is one of the first major events organised by Better Together in the Highlands, although cross-party campaigning has already taken place in the forms of street stalls, door knocking and leafleting.
Talking about the campaign Mr Stewart further stated, “We have had a great response campaigning on the doors and speaking to people in the street.
"A lot of people value the strong connection that Scotland has with the rest of the UK through institutions like the armed forces and agree that the UK is Better Together.”
Better Together campaigning will continue across the Highlands and Islands in the build up to the referendum on separation in 2014, and will be one of the key talking points at this years Scottish Labour Party Conference which takes place in Inverness in April 2013.
Senior Labour figures including Labour leader Ed Miliband MP and Scottish Labour leaderJohann Lamont MSP will take to the stage to argue the case for Scotland remaining a part of the UK.
Rhoda Grant : Speeches in the Scottish Parliament
The Switch Together Campaign
14 November 2012
The Labour Party has joined forces with a commercial partner, iChoosr , to purchase electricity in bulk for people who sign up at a cheaper rate than they are likely to achieve working on their own.
Energy bills are now one of the largest costs facing families but only 20% of people are currently on the cheapest deal – with the rest paying £4 billion a year more than they should.
Ultimately, the most direct way that energy bills will be driven down for everyone is by a root-and-branch reform of the energy market .
That is why Labour has drawn up detailed policies for the next Labour government to break the grip of the Big Six energy companies, simplify tariffs and ensure that vulnerable people are offered the lowest rate available.
Although Labour is not yet in government, it wants to help families tackle the rising cost of living right now.
So many confusing tariffs on the market can make switching from one supplier to another difficult which is why many people have given up trying.
Ofgem have estimated that 60 per cent of consumers have never tried to switch supplier.
For several months Labour has been working on a SwitchTogether scheme with its partner, iChoosr.
If lots of people sign up to SwitchTogether, iChoosr will be able to negotiate a better deal with the energy companies than people would be able to get on their own.
This is different from websites where comparisons between energy costs can be made to discover the cheapest rate because this collective approach is about getting lots of people coming together to switch at once.
There is no obligation to accept the price determined at auction.
Nevertheless, everyone who signs up will be offered the deal after the auction.
People can indicate their interest now at www.switchtogether.org.uk
Ed Miliband's Labour Party conference speech
Download the text version of his speech in full >>
Johann Lamont, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, addresses the annual Labour conference 2012
Margaret Curran , Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, addresses the Labour Party annual conference 2012
Rhoda Grant MSP : Patient Care
– speech in the Scottish Parliament
19/09/2011
David Stewart MSP : Road Safety Campaigner secures break down of offences detected by Police on recent A9 speeding crack down 19/09/2012
11,500 underemployed in the Highlands alongside 3, 700 unemployed
14 September 2012
Official Government figures indicate that there are 11,500 people in the Highland council area who are “underemployed.”
The underemployment figure represents 1 in 10 of the Highland workforce.
Commenting on the figures, Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart , said ,
“These underemployment figures are the shadow that accompanies the official unemployment figures.
“For every one person in the Highland council area who is unemployed , there are three who are underemployed.
“The figure of 11,500 underemployed illustrates just how much the lack of employment opportunities has become a social problem that needs to be addressed urgently.
“ Without the income to meet their needs, people’s spending power falls, which damages the local economy
“We need a change in direction of economic policy that puts jobs first.
“We need to put people back to work in good –paying jobs by investing in infrastructure that will form the basis of the future prosperity of the Highlands”
