RNLI callout figures revealed
The figures for the number of RNLI callouts have been released.
Proposals to cut number of MPs in Scotland
Proposals to cut the number of MPs in Scotland have been branded a complete waste of taxpayers money by one local MP.
Constant rain has put tourists off
Caravan and campsite owners in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway say bookings are down by 50%.
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Employers urged to think of young people
The Minister for Youth Employment, Angela Constance, is urging employers to make the most of the skills young people can offer.
“Supporting more young people into jobs is a top priority for the Scottish Government. We are working hard to improve the employment options available and these very positive figures from the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway demonstrate that our work and that of local authorities is producing results.
“A record 89.9 per cent of our young people nationwide are rightly securing opportunities on leaving school, however, one young person not in training or employment is one too many and our work must continue.
– Angela Constance, Minister for Youth Employment“A vibrant Scottish economy needs Scotland’s young people to be a central part of a dynamic workforce and most young Scots want to rise to this challenge.
"That’s why I would urge more employers in Scotland to make our young people their business and take advantage of the support we’ve provided to do so.”
Youth unemployment falls in southern Scotland
The number of young people claiming unemployment benefit in the south of Scotland has fallen by 11% in comparison to last year.
The new figures released by the Office of National Statistics show that the claimant count for March 2013 across Borders and Dumfries and Galloway fell by 230 compared to the same time last year.
The figures are broken down as follows for each local authority:
- Scottish Borders: 120 fewer young people claiming unemployment benefit
- Dumfries and Galloway: 110 fewer young people claiming unemployment benefit
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New 3G pitch for Palmerston Park
Councillors have unveiled the details on three new '3G' artificial football pitches that will be built in Dumfries and Galloway, including at the ground of Queen of the South.
The council agreed to spend £750,000 on the new surfaces at Palmerston Park in Dumfries, Blairmount Park at Newton Stewart FC and St Mary's Park in Kirkcudbright.
The total amounts are:
£225,000 to Queen of the South
£275,000 to Newton Stewart FC
£275,000 to St Cuthbert Wanderers.
The money will be subject to match funding from Sport Scotland.
RNLI callout figures revealed
The figures for the number of RNLI callouts have been released.
Read the full storyProposals to cut number of MPs in Scotland
Proposals to cut the number of MPs in Scotland have been branded a complete waste of taxpayers money by one local MP.
Read the full storyConstant rain has put tourists off
by Samantha Parker
Caravan and campsite owners in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway say bookings are down by 50%.
Read the full storyAdvertisement
Rain keeping visitors away?
School holidays have just begun in England, in Scotland children are two weeks into their holidays, but caravan parks in our region are reporting up to a 50% reduction in visitor numbers.
Many are blaming the weather. However some hotels are reporting an increase in numbers. One theory is that bad weather is making people chose hotels.
Tourism officials hope Go Ape will make millions
by Matthew TaylorTourism officials in the Scottish Borders say they hope a new tree top visitor attraction will bring millions of pounds into the local economy. Go Ape already has two centres in Cumbria. Now, it's opened its first in Southern Scotland, just outside of Peebles.
Estate Agent: "People do not have to panic buy"
House prices in Scotland steady
New figures show house prices in parts of Scotland have returned to the level they were at five years ago. The news has been welcomed in the Borders, where Estate Agents say they do see a steady rise in house prices.