Chamber
Plenary, 11 Jan 2007
11 Jan 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Highlands (Young People)
General Questions
I largely agree with that prognosis. We must get the fundamentals right, which means creating economic and employment opportunities. The record-high employment rate in the region and the economic activity rate of about 83 per cent, which is higher than that for the rest of Scotland, constitute almost full employment. Allied to that, we must provide places for people to live if they are to work in the region.
The public sector has invested heavily in affordable housing in the region because of the market's inability to provide affordable housing. Overall, we will spend £1.2 billion on that in the current three-year spending period from 2005 to 2008. That money is allied to schemes such as homestake, which gives young people in particular a first step into the housing market. All that adds together to provide a positive package to encourage people to live and work in the Highlands.
The public sector has invested heavily in affordable housing in the region because of the market's inability to provide affordable housing. Overall, we will spend £1.2 billion on that in the current three-year spending period from 2005 to 2008. That money is allied to schemes such as homestake, which gives young people in particular a first step into the housing market. All that adds together to provide a positive package to encourage people to live and work in the Highlands.
In the same item of business
1. Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage young people to live and work in the Highlands. (S2O-11594)
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
Lab
Our key strategies, which include determined to succeed, our targeted support for people in the not in education, employment or training group and our fundin...
Mr Stone:
LD
Does the minister acknowledge that a major barrier to young people staying in the Highlands is the lack of affordable housing, particularly in areas of high ...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I largely agree with that prognosis. We must get the fundamentals right, which means creating economic and employment opportunities. The record-high employme...
Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab):
Lab
It is highly appropriate that the minister who moved Scottish Natural Heritage's headquarters closer to the heritage that it is paid to monitor and protect i...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I agree. The Executive and I take pride in the decision that took Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness. Our relocation policy represents a good example of ...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
Recent ministerial answers show that more than 10 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds left Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in 2000-01 and it is likely that ...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I have referred to steps that I and people in other departments have taken to disperse jobs. The Executive remains committed to job dispersal as a whole.A di...
Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
The minister will be aware that ferry services are particularly important if we want to keep young people on our islands. Is he aware of what has recently ha...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I will look out my spade. To take the issue seriously, I am not aware of those circumstances, but I will discuss what has happened with the Minister for Tran...