Scottish news bulletin: 22nd January 2009

Reform Scotland
22 January 2009

All newspaper references refer to Scottish editions. Where there is a link to a newspaper’s website, the relevant page reference is blue and underlined.

Economy

Retirement: One in four workers has to abandon dreams of an early retirement because the economic crisis has hit pensions and savings. (Scotsman page 1)

Unemployment: Unemployment in Scotland has accelerated dramatically over the last three months and Scottish jobs are now disappearing faster than those in the rest of the UK, according to the latest figures published today. (Scotsman page 5, Times page 17, Guardian page 31, Telegraph page B2, Courier page 1, Press and Journal page 8, Daily Mail page 10)

Nationalised banks: George Kerevan comments on nationalising Britain's ailing commercial banks in the Scotsman. (page 24)

Sterling: The pound plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 yesterday amid growing fears for the economy and uncertainty about the UK government’s banking support package. The pound closed at $1.3733, a fall of 11 cents this week. (FT page 1, page 36, Telegraph page B1)

Bankruptcy: A record number of Scots have filed for bankruptcy as the global financial crisis and falling house prices force thousands more people into the red. The Accountant in Bankruptcy has published figures showing that 5807 people were declared insolvent, a 75% increase on the same period in 2007. (Telegraph page 10, Courier page 6)

North Sea Oil: MPs have launched an inquiry into the state of the North Sea oil and gas industry in an attempt to underline the continuing need for government support. (Press and Journal page 7)

Health

NHS Survey: High levels of dissatisfaction among staff in NHS Scotland have emerged in a new survey. Just 25% of NHS Scotland staff believes the service manages change well and 16% say they have been bullied at work in the last year. (Herald page 1)

Politics

Scottish Banknotes: Scotland’s only Tory MP, David Mundell, tabled a private member’s bill in Westminster which would require all providers of goods or services in the UK who accept Bank of England notes to accept Scottish notes on an equal basis. (Courier page 6, Press and Journal page 9, Daily Express page 17)

Reform Scotland is an independent, non-party think tank that aims to set out a better way to deliver increased economic prosperity and more effective public services based on the traditional Scottish principles of limited government, diversity and personal responsibility.