House of Commons - Our Borderlands - Our Future : Final Report

Our Borderlands - Our Future : Final Report - Scottish Affairs Contents

2 The south of Scotland

11. For the purposes of our inquiry, the 'south of Scotland' refers to the geographical area covered by the local authority areas of Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Three Westminster parliamentary constituencies - Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk; Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale; and Dumfries and Galloway - fall within this geographic area, and also sit on the Scotland-England border.[13]

12. The constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk includes the towns of Galashiels, Hawick, Jedburgh, Melrose and Kelso. Known historically for its textile industry, the tweed, cashmere and knitwear industries are still a significant part of the local economy.[14] Agriculture, forestry and fishing are also key components of the local economy, providing jobs for 6.5% of the total workforce.[15] Tourism and hospitality are key economic sectors with 9.6% of the workforce employed in the accommodation and food services industries, and a further 3% work in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.[16] Berwickshire is part of the Scottish Borders local authority area. In 2013, there were 479,000 visits to the Borders, of which 436,000 were visits by UK residents. Visitors to the Borders region spent £110 million in 2013.[17]

13. Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency was formed following the 2005 boundary review.[18] The M74 bisects the seat and two of its largest towns, Lockerbie and Moffat, lie close to the only motorway running from Scotland to England. Numbers employed in accommodation and food services, and in arts, entertainment and recreation, are broadly similar to those for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk—13.3% of jobs in all of these sectors combined. There is still some mining in the west of the constituency, now providing only 0.7% of jobs (200 in total). A further 13.7% of the constituency's jobs lie in the manufacturing sector. Knitwear manufacturing still exists in the area, but has witnessed a 25% decline in the number of jobs since 2009 (400 jobs in 2009 to 300 jobs in 2013).[19]

14. The main urban centre of Dumfries and Galloway constituency is Dumfries, which still retains some light industry—13.5% of the workforce are employed in manufacturing. The constituency's second town is Stranraer, which depends economically on the ferry links from Northern Ireland to Cairnryan.[20] A large number of jobs in the constituency lie in the wholesale and retail sector—some 16.7%—with fishing and fish processing being a major employer on the west coast. Dumfries and Galloway is the sixth largest seat in the UK by area, covering more than 1,500 square miles.

15. Given the geographical proximity of all three constituencies to the border, there are strong economic and social links with the border areas of the north of England. Michael Moore MP told us that his constituents were "as likely to turn southwards for their business or their shopping or leisure activities almost as they would be north."[21] Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Dumfries and Galloway Council, described Carlisle as being "more or less" Dumfries and Galloway's only city.[22] Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith, MP for Berwick upon Tweed, described the eastern Borders, embracing Berwickshire, North Northumberland and parts of Roxburghshire (i.e. on both sides of the border), as a "recognisably distinct sub-regional economy".[23]

Employment

16. Local area labour market figures taken from the Scottish Government's annual population survey (2013) show that the south of Scotland has the highest rate of people with multiple jobs in the whole of Scotland.[24] The rate of underemployment, where people are in work but not working sufficient hours to make a living, is also higher than the national average.[25] To compound this problem, average wages in the region are below the Scottish average.[26]

17. Although employment levels in the Scottish Borders area are higher (74.9%) than the Scottish average of 71%, many workers living in the south are having to take on several part-time, low-paid, low-skill jobs in order to make ends meet. Almost twice as many people in the Scottish Borders region have a second job—6.8% compared with the Scottish average figure of 3.9%. The region also has a higher than average proportion of people who are underemployed, i.e. would like to work more hours, but are unable to. In the Scottish Borders, this stands at 12.1% of the population, compared with 9.6% of Scotland as a whole.[27]

18. A similar picture emerged in Dumfries and Galloway, where the unemployment rate was 7.3% of the 16 to 64 population, slightly lower than the Scottish average of 7.7%. However, only 64% of those in employment work full-time, compared with the Scottish average of 74%. Around 12.4% of all people employed in Dumfries and Galloway are underemployed—i.e. in employment but wishing to increase their working hours. This is higher than the Scottish average of 9.6%. In Dumfries and Galloway, 5.7% of the population have second jobs, compared with 3.9% for Scotland as a whole.[28]

19. The economy of the south of Scotland is characterised by an industrial structure that has depended on primary, manufacturing and service sectors with relatively low wages. Over the past two decades there has been a shift away from manufacturing to services, which has led to relatively high levels of underemployment. There is a relative lack of high value jobs and diverse and accessible economic opportunities. Scottish Borders Council felt that these structural economic challenges need to be given more recognition in relation to enhanced Government and European economic support to the area.[29]

20. In many communities in the south of Scotland, once the primary industry in an area has gone, the strata of supporting business go with it. Brian Richardson, Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that, when this happens, "people have to get by with two or three different jobs or part-time employment or insecure employment because the market is fragmented."[30]

21. The lack of adequate transport infrastructure also has an impact on employment in the region. The Campaign for Borders Rail believes that "poor transport links, and particularly the absence of a rail service, is a significant factor causing the high levels of underemployment found in the south of Scotland."[31] Better rail infrastructure would allow greater access to the Edinburgh jobs market, reducing the need for people to leave the area to find work and encouraging others to move to the Borders. They also believe it would "allow young people from the Borders to access education and training opportunities in Edinburgh and the Lothians without having to move away from home."[32]

22. We identified a demand for further job creation in the region, either through the targeted location of public sector jobs or through attracting larger companies, while supporting companies in the region who wish to remain there and grow. Scottish Land and Estates argued that specific actions should be taken to encourage larger employers to locate in the area.[33] Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce suggested that current problems were likely to continue unless more public sector jobs are moved from both the Central Belt and London to the Borders. They said that the only easy answer to the employment issue was "more immediate public sector jobs."[34]

23. Efforts were being made in the area to establish the Borders Employability Forum, which aims to deal with some of the key employment issues in the region. Michael Moore emphasised that it was crucial to work on the barriers to people getting back into the workplace, but argued that such an initiative "needs to have governmental support at a Scottish and a UK level."[35]

24. We are sympathetic to the calls we heard from the south of Scotland for more job creation schemes in the area. We urge both the Scottish and UK Governments to locate public sector jobs beyond London and Edinburgh, and recommend that both Governments provided a detailed breakdown of the location of public sector jobs, and their future plans for further relocation, to our successor Committee. This work should run in tandem with UK Government support for communications and transport infrastructure development in the region.

25. We recommend that the UK Government take seriously Michael Moore's reminder that its responsibility does not stop at the border. It should demonstrate this by lending its full support, through expertise, ministerial participation and financial resource where possible, to employment initiatives in the south of Scotland, such as the Borders Employability Forum.

LOW WAGES

26. The average gross weekly pay for full-time workers in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk was £492.80 in 2013, which was 3.1% lower than the Scottish average of £508.30. The figure for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale is lower still with average gross weekly pay standing at £490.10, 3.6% lower than the Scottish average. The average gross weekly pay for full-time workers in Dumfries and Galloway was even worse at £436.80 in 2013, which was 14% lower than the Scottish average.[36]

27. Across the south of Scotland, wages are lower than the Scottish national average, a situation which is exacerbated by other regional factors. For example, the high level of travel costs in the south of Scotland means that actual income for many working part-time and/or for low rates of pay is pushed below the equivalent of the national minimum wage. Dumfries and Galloway Council argued that continued investment in both digital and transport connectivity are essential in the short term to facilitate opportunities that will create higher value jobs through inward investment or indigenous growth.[37]

28. Two of the major sources of local employment in the south of Scotland are the agricultural sector and the tourism/hospitality sector-some of the worst offenders when it comes to low pay. It was also noted that a higher proportion of employees in the south of Scotland are dependent on "zero hours" contracts, which contributes towards the low wage statistic.[38] AIMup,[39] Peebles Community Council and Peebles Community Trust argued that all statutory bodies should use the powers they have, including procurement policies, to compel local employers to pay a living wage.[40]

29. While we recognise the concerns of employers in the south of Scotland, particularly those running small businesses and micro-businesses, of the potential costs of the living wage, we see no justification for not paying workers a living wage in the UK in 21st century. We have addressed the issue of fair wages in our inquiries into zero hours contracts and into compliance with the minimum wage in Scotland. At the very minimum, the UK and Scottish Governments should ensure that all public sector employees in the south of Scotland are paid the living wage.

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

30. Youth unemployment in the Scottish Borders is higher than the Scottish average.[41] Claimant count unemployment in Dumfries and Galloway for those aged 18 to 24 is 4.3%. Claimant count unemployment in Scottish Borders for those aged 16 to 24 is 4.2%.[42]

31. AIMUp, Peebles Community Council and Peebles Community Trust identified "lack of jobs; poor pay; lack of affordable housing for rent and a poor transport infrastructure"[43] as the main challenges facing young people in the south of Scotland. There has been a steady rate in the departure of young people from the region, as shown in the data provided in the 2014 Rural Scotland in Focus report, produced by SRUC, Scotland's Rural College.[44]

32. The process of outward migration artificially lowers unemployment rates in the south of Scotland, particularly for young people. Councillor Archie Dryburgh told us that "the lack of opportunities for youth [and] the urban migration of young people not coming back is causing us real concerns."[45] It was his belief that by 2020, 75% of people in the Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders would be over retirement age.[46] Scottish Land and Estates highlighted the outmigration of young people, particularly those pursuing higher education or higher wage careers.[47] SLE called for continued focus and funding for apprenticeship/training programmes with emphasis on delivering outcomes and appropriate destination monitoring.[48]

33. NFU Scotland argued that issues of rural unemployment were intensified by poor transport links east to west across the region. Because there is little or no public transport linking rural locations such as farms to towns and urban centres, "it is virtually impossible to take on a young apprentice unless they can drive themselves. Improved road and transport links could also assist trade between the two regions."[49] They noted that rural youth unemployment was "relatively higher in relation to the urbanised local authority regions in the Central Belt."[50]

STEMMING THE FLOW

34. Responsibility for youth training and higher education is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Many witnesses noted positive developments in this area in the south of Scotland. Many cited the Crichton Institute, which was launched in January 2013 and is a collaboration between the academic institutions on Crichton Campus and partners in the business, local government, health and voluntary sectors.[51] Its aim is to develop an evidence base for the economic, social and cultural development of south-west Scotland, and to raise its national and international profile.[52] The South of Scotland Alliance's forum provides a conduit for engagement with the Scottish Government and provides a focus for discussion on common issues across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. It has developed links with other rural and urban local authorities in Scotland, the north of England and beyond.[53]

35. Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of Commerce noted the success of the Crichton Campus in slowing the rate of migration of young people from the region and in providing local business with a supply of graduates.[54] Joan McAlpine, MSP for the South of Scotland, agreed, but added that further technical courses, perhaps aided by attracting another university to the area, would be helpful.[55]

36. The setting up of a University of the South of Scotland was recommended by some. Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce argued for the need to create a University of the South of Scotland, which they suggested would further raise the profile of the area and help to reduce the leakage of young talent out of the area.[56] RSA Fellows Borders Network cited "the example of the University of the Highlands and Islands…as a positive precedent" in this regard.[57]

37. We recognise the work being done in the area to provide training opportunities for young people. To effectively combat youth unemployment the UK Government, which is responsible for employment policy, and the Scottish Government, which is responsible for higher education, training and skills development, should produce a joint strategy specifically to tackle youth unemployment and underemployment in the region.

Infrastructure

Transport

38. Many witnesses identified the lack of an adequate transport infrastructure as a key feature of the area, and as a major obstacle to the region's economic development. NHS Borders noted the far reaching consequences of this lack of infrastructure, in that it has a direct bearing on "opportunities for learning and for work and also on access to a wide range of public services."[58] Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) described transport links as being essential in "promoting enterprise and economic development in Scotland".[59]

Rail links

39. In 2013, construction work began on the Borders Railway, which will re-establish passenger railway services from Edinburgh through Midlothian to Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders. Passenger services are currently expected to begin on Sunday 6 September 2015. This project was commissioned by the Scottish Government, as responsibility for transport is devolved. Michael Moore described the re-opening of the Borders Railway as a "vital moment" for the economic development of the south of Scotland. He added:

40. Given the cross-border nature of the economy in the south of Scotland, the Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) sought the re-establishment of the through route between the central Borders, Hawick and Carlisle. They stated that a reinstated railway would "also serve a strategic purpose linking the region directly to cities in the north west of England".[61] We found support for this in principle from the Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, local MPs and many MSPs and councillors, and note that the potential line of route had been protected from further adverse development in the local development plans of both Scottish Borders Council and Carlisle City & District Council.[62]

41. We look forward to the re-opening of the Borders Railway link between Edinburgh and Galashiels. We urge the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government and with key agencies on both sides of the border to extend the Borders Railway southwards from Galashiels, to Hawick and on to Carlisle.

Road links

42. The south of Scotland also suffers from inadequate road infrastructure, and witnesses indicated that the border exacerbates this problem. David Mundell cited the example of junction 45 on the M6, which connects the motorway to Gretna and to the A75. As the junction is in England it is the responsibility of the Highways Agency. Mr Mundell explained that attempts to get agencies on both sides of the border to come together to consider problems in relation to the border had been a "nightmare".[63] Michael Moore noted that, while crucial road links can be well supported by one Government or the other, they are rarely handled on a joint basis, which "is difficult and frustrating for business people and folk living in the area."[64]

43. We recommend that the UK Government produce a clear strategic plan which sets out key principles for joint working with the Scottish Government in relation to transport infrastructure issues. We also recommend that both Governments take steps to monitor the efficacy of the collaboration between the Highways Agency and Transport Scotland on cross-border sections of major road infrastructure. Performance measures should be put in place for both organisations in respect of this.

SUPERFAST BROADBAND

44. Figures from Digital Scotland show that NGA (next generation access, which facilitates the provision of superfast broadband) coverage is currently 61.3% in the Dumfries and Galloway Council area and 61.9% in the Scottish Borders Council area.[65]

45. The Scotland Act 1998 states that all matters relating to telecommunications are reserved, including wireless telegraphy and internet services.[66] In its memorandum, The Superfast (Rural) Broadband Programme: update, the National Audit Office explains that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is responsible for the Government's broadband policies. Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) —a unit within the Department—runs several programmes to provide superfast broadband and better mobile connectivity to the UK. One of these is the Superfast Broadband Programme, formerly the Rural Broadband Programme, which it has designed to provide superfast broadband across the UK in 3 phases:

· Phase 1 is to extend superfast broadband coverage to 90% of UK premises by December 2016, with £530 million of central government funds.

· Phase 2 is to extend superfast broadband coverage to 95% of UK premises by December 2017, with a further £250 million of central government funds.

· Phase 3 is to test options for rolling out superfast broadband past 95% coverage.[67]

46. BDUK devolved responsibility for contracting provision of broadband rollout to local authorities in England. In Scotland, the responsibility was passed on to the Scottish Government. A 'constitutional gap' has therefore appeared, whereby the UK Government has pledged broadband coverage for 95% of UK premises by December 2017, but with no way for the UK Parliament to scrutinise the efficacy of the Scottish Government's progress in achieving this in Scotland. Michael Moore MP argued that it was appropriate that the Scottish Government led on broadband rollout, but "not to the extent that the UK Ministers then say, 'that's fine; it's not me that is responsible anymore'."[68]

47. Two projects for broadband rollout are being managed in Scotland-one managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the other by the Scottish Government, which covers the rest of Scotland.[69] The two projects together will get the whole of Scotland up to a 90% coverage level by the end of 2016. Chris Townsend pointed out that the "last 5%" (the UK Government commitment is for 95% of UK premises) covers 70% of the UK land mass.[70] David Mundell noted the initial plan was to have a third, separate rollout process for the south of Scotland, and described the Scottish Government's decision to include the south with the rest of Scotland as unfortunate.[71]

48. At the oral evidence session held by the Public Accounts Committee on 28 January 2015, Dame Anne McGuire MP asked representatives of BDUK about the progress of superfast broadband rollout in Scotland. She asked about rural communities in Scotland and the problems they are experiencing with access to fast broadband. She was particularly concerned that people were unable to get reliable information about rural broadband access and rollout of further broadband provision.[72] Chris Townsend of BDUK said that "roll-out information or information on when superfast broadband…is available now."[73]

49. However, despite BDUK's assurance to the Public Accounts Committee, we found widespread frustration in relation to the progress of rollout in the south of Scotland, and the absence of a clear timetable.[74] Joan McAlpine MSP noted:

50. Michael Moore explained that he was denied access to details of a timetable (by local council officials) on the basis of "commercial confidentiality."[76] He dismissed this as an "excuse not to reveal anything useful" and added, "you cannot expect the council, the economic development agencies and others, to be planning ahead when they do not have information about what areas will be reached and when."[77] Mr Moore stated that the challenge both to Government and to the private sector was to make sure that nobody was "left behind."[78]

51. Mr Moore expressed specific concern that the slow pace of updating the communications infrastructure in the south of Scotland was detrimental to the retention of young people in the area. Teresa Dougall, Regional Manager, South East/South West, Scottish Land and Estates, stated that the lack of broadband provision and youth migration were linked.[79] Given the frustrations with the rollout, and indeed, the scale of the project in the south of Scotland, the RSA[80] Fellows Borders Network described current initiatives on rural broadband as merely a "sticking plaster on a haemorrhaging wound".[81]

52. Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce argued that the south of Scotland shares with the Highlands and Islands similar problems of business infrastructure, communications and loss of young talent. While assistance has been provided to the Highlands to deal with this, the south of Scotland had not received similar assistance.[82]

53. We are concerned about the lack of transparency and accountability in relation to the rollout of superfast broadband. We agree that the Scottish Government is best placed to oversee the rollout on the ground, but this is a reserved area of policy, and does not absolve the UK Government of the responsibility for ensuring targets are met in terms of timetable and delivery.

54. Access to superfast broadband is not a luxury add-on for rural communities, but a key part of the infrastructure required for those communities to thrive and develop. We note the evidence in relation to the link between a lack of infrastructure and youth migration, and while this is a complex issue, it also serves as a stark reminder of the significant and damaging potential consequences for rural communities when the rollout of crucial infrastructure programmes is delayed.

MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE

55. The Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland (FSB) has raised concerns about mobile phone coverage in Scotland. FSB survey data show that 70% of businesses in Scotland regard mobile phones to be important to the operations of their business, but that half of them regularly operate in areas without adequate coverage.[83] Andy Willox, Scottish Policy Convenor, FSB stated that it was "unacceptable that a quarter of the country has no mobile reception".[84]

56. A Scottish Government study, Mobile Performance and Coverage in Scotland, published in September 2013 suggested that 27.5% of Scotland's landmass has no 2G coverage from any operator.[85] Figures from Ofcom show that 38.8% of the area covered by Scottish Borders Council has no 3G signal, while 24.5% of this area does not even have a 2G signal. 39% of Dumfries and Galloway Council's the area does not have a 3G signal, while 22.6% has no 2G signal.[86] Joan McAlpine stated therefore that "even 3G would be a vast improvement for the majority of areas in the region."[87]

57. Consistent, good quality coverage is a necessity for businesses in the south of Scotland, and for their customers and the local economy. Alistair McKinnon, Director, South of Scotland and Director, Sustainable Construction, Scottish Enterprise, identified a number of steps that could be taken to improve provision. For example, providers such as Vodafone and O2 could share masts.[88] He said that there must be a way that was "not beyond the wit of man" to use the physical infrastructure to provide mobile coverage everywhere.[89] Mr Moore suggested working with existing infrastructure for the emergency services as one possible avenue to explore.[90] Joan McAlpine suggested that tightening regulations to require operators to extend coverage to remote rural areas would improve coverage.[91]

58. Responding to calls for better mobile coverage from throughout the UK, on 18 December 2014, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced a "landmark deal" with the four mobile networks in the UK. A binding agreement was signed that commits the networks to:

· a guaranteed £5bn investment programme to improve mobile infrastructure by 2017;

· guarantee voice and text coverage across 90% of the UK geographic area by 2017, halving the areas currently blighted by patchy coverage as a result of partial 'not-spots';

· increase full coverage from 69 per cent to 85 per cent of geographic areas by 2017;

· provide reliable signal strength for voice for each type of mobile service (whether 2G/3G/4G);

· accept amended licence conditions to reflect the agreement that are enforceable by Ofcom.[92]

59. We welcome the recent deal between the UK Government and the four major mobile networks in the UK. Given that vast swathes of the south of Scotland do not have adequate mobile phone coverage, we seek assurances from the UK Government that it will prioritise this area in the implementation of this agreement. We also recommend that it works closely with the mobile phone providers and emergency service providers to evaluate the options with respect to using the emergency service communications infrastructure to, temporarily at least, improve coverage in the south of Scotland.

60. We are also persuaded that the UK Government should tighten the regulations which require operators to extend coverage to remote rural areas, although this will only have an impact if simultaneous steps are also taken to improve the infrastructure. We recommend that the UK Government consult on the current guidelines and report progress on this to our successor Committee early in the new Parliament.

Access to public services

61. A further issue facing those who live close to the border with England is that of access to public services. Many of those living in Dumfriesshire, for instance, access services such as health and education in Cumbria and Carlisle.[93] Sir Alan Beith noted that some public bodies increasingly treat the border as an "international frontier" which people should not cross when accessing public services.[94] He noted a specific concern with the Northumberland Clinical Commissioning Group, which he stated was seeking to prevent or discourage patients on the English side of the border from using the nearest clinically appropriate hospital, if that hospital was in Scotland.[95]

62. Similarly, access to local education services can be a problem. This issue pre-dates devolution due to the fact that age transfer arrangements—the age at which cohorts of students move from one level of education to another—and examination systems are different in Scotland and England. Sir Alan Beith cited the example of young people in England who may not have access to English FE facilities within 50 miles, despite living fairly close to Borders College in the Scottish Borders. This is not only problematic in terms of access to services, but, as Sir Alan concluded, "the success of businesses on both sides of the border depends to a significant extent on the availability of educated and skilled potential employees in the whole of the area."[96] He argued that devolution "should not prevent a collective and shared effort to promote the area as a whole," which he argued should be a higher priority for authorities in Northumberland and Scottish Borders, and for the UK and Scottish Governments.[97]

63. We accept that, since devolution, there are some areas of legitimate policy divergence, for example, in terms of health and education policy, north and south of the Scotland-England border. However, this should not impinge on the access of residents living on both sides of the border to essential services. We recommend that the UK Government work closely with the Scottish Government and local authorities on both the English and Scottish side of the border to provide adequate access to essential public services, and for the social and economic benefit of the region as a whole.

64. The specific challenges faced in the south of Scotland require effective collaboration and joint strategies between the different levels of Government in both Scotland and the UK. The UK and Scottish Governments need to find new ways of working together, and with local government, to deliver for the people of Scotland. This is arguably one of the least developed areas in the post-devolution landscape and should be a major area of work in the context of the implementation of the Smith Agreement during the course of the next Parliament.

13 Scottish Borders Council, MPs Westminster, accessed 9 March 2015; Dumfries and Galloway Council, MSPs, MPs and MEPs, accessed 9 March 2015 Back

14 Dod's New Constituency Guide, 4^th edition, (London, 2008) Back

15 Scotland's Census 2011, Data warehouse, table QS605SC Back

16 ONS, Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), 2013 Back

17 Visit Scotland, Tourism in Scotland's regions, 2013, p 9-11 Back

18 It includes 50% of the former Dumfries constituency, 21% of Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale, 15.5% from Clydesdale and 10% from Galloway and Upper Nithsdale - Boundary Commission for Scotland, Fifth Periodical Review of UK Parliament constituencies Report, accessed 11 March 2015 Back

19 ONS, Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES), 2013 (published Nov 2014) Back

20 Stena Line is one of the constituency's largest employers - Russell Brown MP, Local Politicians to Meet Stena Line to Discuss Job Cuts, accessed 11 March 2015 Back

21 Q40 Back

22 Q2 [Archie Dryburgh] Back

23 Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith, (BOR0018), para 6 Back

24 The most recent data showing the labour market by local authority area were released by the Scottish Government on 7 May 2014, and are derived from the Annual Population Survey 2013. Back