This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Jobs relocated to rural communities
08/11/2004
Two communities in the Highlands and Islands are to
benefit from the relocation of Scottish government jobs, it
was announced today.
The Crofting Building Grants and Loans Scheme will move
to Tiree, with eight jobs, and the government's Central
Enquiry Unit, which has 10 jobs, will move from Edinburgh
to Kinlochleven. Both relocations will take place next
year.
Their relocation is intended to boost the local economy
and to help secure a viable future for local shops,
schools, and vital public services by bringing new jobs to
the area.
Speaking at the Highlands and Islands Convention in
Thurso, First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"When I visited Benbecula, I saw the benefits the
relocation of Highlands and Islands Enterprise Finance
Administration department had brought. I firmly believe
this is a model we can replicate across Scotland,
especially in the Highlands and Islands.
"Moving even a small group of public sector jobs to an
island or rural community not only reinvigorates the
existing community, but also encourages others to consider
moving there to live and work. These may be small units,
but they will have a large, positive impact for both Tiree
and Kinlochleven."
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform,
Tavish Scott said:
"We are committed to dispersing public sector jobs
across Scotland. We want to see all areas of Scotland
benefit, while ensuring we spread the benefits of
devolution as much as possible to give a boost to areas
that need it.
"This announcement is another step forward in the
relocation policy - and more jobs will follow in other
parts of Scotland shortly."
The two agencies being relocated are the Central Enquiry
Unit, and the Crofting Building Grants and Loans Scheme
unit.
The Central Enquiry Unit (CEU) is the government's
central point of contact, providing a switchboard service
for telephone and e-mail enquiries. The CEU will be
relocated to the Kinlochleven area by mid-2005 - an area
recently identified as a priority area by Highlands and
Islands Enterprise due to the fragility of the economy.
The Crofting Building Grants and Loans Scheme is a unit
which will assist Ministers in administering the new Croft
House Grant Scheme. It is likely to be made up of mainly
locally recruited staff.