Stay Connected
GEMMA DOYLE SLAMS ‘INEXPLICABLE’ DECISION FROM SNP SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
West Dunbartonshire MP Gemma Doyle and Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie have criticised the SNP Scottish Government’s inexplicable decision to exclude West Dunbartonshire from the new Youth Unemployment Strategy Fund.
The fund, announced last week, is awarding £9m worth of grants to local authorities facing ‘particular challenges’ with youth unemployment.
West Dunbartonshire, recently found to be the most difficult place in the UK to find a job and with the second highest rate of youth unemployment in Scotland, will receive no extra funding from the Scottish Government.
West Dunbartonshire MP Gemma Doyle said:
“I’m beginning to think the Scottish Government has forgotten West Dunbartonshire exists. Do they not know the situation here or are they deliberately ignoring the facts? Over 1,200 young people in our area out of work, which gives us the 2nd highest youth unemployment rate in Scotland and the number of people chasing every job here is higher than in any other council area in the UK.
“Other areas are being given support. The SNP need to explain why we’re being left out.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie added:
“I am astonished that West Dunbartonshire has once again been by-passed by the SNP. When the Scottish Government finally listened to Labour’s call for a Minister for Youth Employment I was hopeful that they were at last acknowledging the scale of the challenge facing our young people.
“However, to announce extra funding for areas with a clear problem in youth unemployment, and then leave out West Dunbartonshire, which has the second highest rates of youth unemployment in Scotland is absurd.
“Local politicians in this area have put forward plans to help tackle unemployment and create jobs. It is disappointing that the SNP Government has once again overlooked our area.”
West Dunbartonshire Council Labour Group leader Councillor Martin Rooney said:
“I’m absolutely appalled by this news. People here are wondering why SNP leader Ronnie McColl hasn’t got a better deal from his SNP colleagues at Holyrood. It’s becoming increasingly clear that our area is losing out under an SNP-led council.”
Further information on the recent TUC report highlighting West Dunbartonshire as the most difficult place in the UK to find a job available here.