Scottish unions demand investment into labour market
The Scottish Trade Union Congress has today demanded significant investment into the Scottish labour market amid signs that the economic upturn seen in other areas of the UK has not be replicated in Scotland as yet. One of the factors highlighted by the unions is the latest youth unemployment figure which has ballooned by 89% in the 2 years to February 2010. This is a major problem for the Scottish economy because the youth workers of today are the bread winners of tomorrow and the government is keen to ensure they do not fall into the trap of living off state benefits.
This week's meeting in Dundee will be addressed by Alex Salmond and Jim Murphy with the SNP government likely to attack the Labour Party for its lack of investment in Scotland and Gordon Brown in particular. There is no love lost between the SNP and the ruling parties in England with a constant battle regarding the Scottish budget, Scottish taxes and the Scottish parliament. There is also concern that a large portion of the workforce in Scotland is actually employed by the state, said to be higher than the 50% figure for the rest of the UK, which places more and more of a burden on UK taxpayers.
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