13/11/2013 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland. The owners of a tug which sank in the

River Clyde killing three crew members is fined ?1.7 million for

breaking health and safety laws. The families still do not know what

happened that night and unfortunately for them, we do not

know what lessons are to be learned for the future to prevent further

tragedy occurring. Also in the programme, the number of

jobless in Scotland rises slightly but the number of people in work

also goes up. Calls for tens of thousands of deer to be culled to

reduce the damage they cause to the environment.

How rapping is helping inspire teenagers who are turned off by

poetry. And the Ibrox old boys back here

with the US team as they prepare for Friday's friendly with Scotland.

The owner of a tug boat which sank in the River Clyde killing three

crew has been fined ?1.7 million for breaking health and safety laws. The

vessel, which was based at Greenock, sank in thick fog in December 2007

while towing a cargo boat. Morag Kinniburgh reports.

An emergency on the Clyde, the week before Christmas. Three local men

were missing. One crewman was rescued but the skipper and two

others ground. The fog was told that the tug boat could not see and when

it grounded it was pulled over and under. The owners pled guilty to a

series of safety feel years as they had refused to act following a

similar problem seven years earlier despite expert recommendations. The

families angry, still waiting for answers. We have got to this stage

but no fatal accident enquiry has been held Saudi families do not know

what happened that night and for them and the wider community, they

do not know what lessons are to be learned for the future to prevent

further tragedy coming. The number of deaths at work is rising and

unions want better and quicker laws. We would like health and said the

laws to be strengthened particularly the fatal accident enquiry process

so that no family will have to wait six years for an out, as they did

today. The judge imposed the fine of ?1.7 million saying it may seem

entirely inadequate to the bereaved families but should bring home to

any company the abiding duty of care they have two they have to their

workers. It highlights the terrible price paid.

Unemployment has risen slightly in Scotland, according to the latest

official statistics, while it fell across the UK as a whole. But at the

same time, the number of people in work in Scotland has also gone up.

Our business correspondent David Henderson is here to tell us more.

Jackie, a thousand more people have joined Scotland's dole queues. But

here's the long-term trend. Just before the banking crisis, that's

the pink line, the jobless total was low, then it rose sharply. Since

then, it's had its ups and downs, but in the last year or so,

unemployment has barely changed. But here's where our job market is

improving fast. The number of people who're working is on the rise, up by

16,000 in this latest survey. Again, there was a dramatic fall in jobs

after the credit crunch. Since then, the recovery has gathered pace. But

as we've been finding out, things are getting better for some more

than for others. Looking for work can be frustrating

and for Andrew Gordon, doubly so. He has easy lowers contract with his

employer but for more than a year he has been offered nothing. -- zero

hours contract. It has been very frustrating. It is like staring down

a long dark tunnel. With no work coming in, he officially counts as

unemployed. With five successful quarters of economic growth, this is

not having an affect on people who are unemployed and too many people

are spending long periods of time unemployed and we know the dangers

associated with that. Many firms have reported a rise in business in

recent months and the need to hire new workers and the figures today

reflect that. It is encouraging that will allow an extra 16,000 Scots and

work, and coming on the back of indications that business confidence

is increasing, it forms a fairly positive picture and suggests that

hopefully a sustained recovery could be underway. That has been echoed by

the Bank of England who now predicts stronger growth this year and next.

Its governor says the UK economy seems to be turning a corner.

Now it may seem strange that the number of people in work is rising

while the number of people out of work is rising too. There's a good

reason for that. People whose work dried up during the downturn and who

were not claiming benefits or looking for a job seem now to be

returning to employment. Typically this is parents who've stayed at

home to look after children. Older workers who've been in

semi-retirement. Students who've been training because jobs were thin

on the ground. The economic recovery's giving them a fresh

chance. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme. Size does matter, why

Scotland has lost one of its highest mountains. In sport: Why Scotland

against the USA is no ordinary friendly.

And two shades of grey? Maybe not, but rugby's grey brothers are ready

to face the Springboks. A woman has lost her unborn baby

following an Aberdeenshire road accident. The crash, involving two

BMWs, happened on the A937 at Marykirk yesterday morning. Police

Scotland said a pregnant 27-year-old woman was taken to Aberdeen Royal

Infirmary, but her baby could not be saved. The road was closed this

morning to allow investigations to take place. Officers are appealing

for witnesses to the accident, or who may have seen either car before

that time, to come forward. The energy company SSE says its

operating profits for the first half of the year fell by 12 per cent to

?354 million. The company, which trades as Scottish Hydro, says its

retail arm made a loss of nearly ?90 million. Customers of the

Perth-based firm will see prices rise by around 8% later this week.

The Scottish government will publish its long-awaited blueprint for

independence in two weeks' time, and in his first major speech since

becoming the new Scottish secretary, Alistair Carmichael said it must

answer three fundamental questions for voters. He challenged the SNP to

stop dodging the issues. Here's our political Editor Brian Taylor.

Nothing says Scotland like whiskey. Tooling a new distillery

development, Alistair Carmichael says he is a proud Scot. He

challenged the SNP to spell out details, their plan B if the rest of

the UK rejects a sterling currency zone, how they would fund

independence and what it would cost to set up. It has an important

decision for us all and we cannot be offered the suspension of Exelby all

right on night. Nothing says success like new ideas. Meeting

entrepreneurs in Edinburgh John Swinney said a currency zone would

suit Scotland as well as England. He said Scotland with live with

independence. I do not think we will ever satisfy the appetite for

questions from the UK government. What the Scottish government will do

is set out a positive and constructive agenda about how

Scotland can establish yourself as an independent country. Holyrood and

Scotland will learn the details of the White Paper in just under a

fortnight. Environmentalists have told MSPs new

measures may be needed to force landowners to cull tens of thousands

of deer. They say cutting deer numbers would promote biodiversity

and reduce damage to woodland. But sporting estates and gamekeepers

insist the current voluntary system of deer management is working.

Here's our environment correspondent, David Miller.

The red Deer, a symbol of Scotland. We have other species to although

not all native. With as many as 400,000 red deer alone roaming the

hills and Glens, it is clear that managing the deer population is a

huge challenge. Landowners and says they are doing a good job. He left

his Highland sporting estates behind to come to Hollywood and warn MSPs

not to introduce compulsory calls. They will probably end up doing more

or less what we are doing at the moment and this is the tragedy. We

are placing a voluntary system with private and public sector going into

it, meaning more bureaucracy. It will cost us more. The country's

biggest environmental organisations argue change is long overdue and

want to see a system that could force private landowners to meet

dear cull targets. It is in the public interest including jobs and

the economy. We have to meet all these aspirations. The damage caused

by the large deer population has been described by environmental

groups as the country's most pressing conservationists you.

Landowners believe the claims are overstated but it will be up to the

committee to decide whether claims are overstated.

Other stories from across Scotland this Wednesday.

Scots fishing industry leaders have been angered by a conservation group

whcih urged shoppers not to buy North sea cod, despite what they

claim is evidence of increasing stocks. But the Marine Conservation

Society says stocks are still not sustainable.

Cockle fishing on the Solway Firth could resume if a new survey finds

stocks have recovered. A partnership led by Marine Scotland is looking at

sustainable management methods. The Solway cockle beds have been closed

for two years. It's hailed as a fresh start for the

arts in Dumfries and Galloway. The sector has been in limbo since the

region's Arts Association suffered financial collapse. Now a series of

artist-led hubs have been set up to co-ordinate activity, led by a

professional convener. Ultimately the parallel is in the

hands of the artists to create the work they think the community needs.

This is a model that is particularly appropriate for this first community

is added to something the rest of Scotland can definitely learn from.

Stonemasons think it could take several months to recover the damage

done to this war memorial through vandalism. It is thought the repair

bill could run into thousands of pounds. The monument carries the

names of nearly 300 local men who fought and died during the two world

wars. The team behind Dundee's UK City of

Culture bid is off to face the judges. They'll make their pitch

tomorrow in Derry, which currently holds the title. Dundee faces

competition from Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay for the 2017 prize. The

winner will be unveiled next Wednesday.

For Dundee, we have plans for a long time and worked towards tomorrow or

a very long time. After that, it is down to the judges.

And there are more stories from your area - and all the latest news and

analysis on BBC Scotland's website. How do you get school pupils to

enjoy poetry? A teacher in Hamilton has come up with an unusual way to

get his pupils to enjoy poetry - by giving them rap lessons. Rap can

help inspire students who might find English classes a turn off, and can

develop their communication skills too. Our education correspondent

Jamie McIvor reports. Welcome to the internet, the place

to be. This is about using rap to make English lessons more engaging.

It is better than sitting in an English class. This teacher is sure

it will help with the education of the youngsters. This is another way

you can go about it. I am not replacing forgery. -- replacing

poetry. Professional performer 's might not be typical textbook

material that rappers use similar technique 's. People who thought

about their own existence and put it to rhyme. Today the students saw

some of Scotland's top rappers in action. The scheme has already

spread to other schools. The people behind it hoped more schools across

Scotland will join them. Scotland has lost one of its highest

mountains after experts surveyed a Munro top in Skye and found that it

didn't measure up. The Knight's Peak in the Cuillins has been downgraded

because it's short of the Munro qualifying height of 3,000 feet - by

just six and a half inches. Craig Anderson reports.

The Knight's Peak on the Cuillins. It is not one of the Munro is in its

own right that it had been designated as one of 227 subsidiary

takes over 3000 feet high. But not any more. Surveyors armed with

latest satellite dish I have been revisiting some of the mountains

originally measured more than a century ago. In those days using a

barometer, the measurements were not terribly accurate. Some of the

mountains have subsequently turned out to be too low. Some have been

upgraded. After an expedition a few weeks ago surveyors now say that The

Knight's Peak is 6.5 inches too short to be classed as a Munro. It

works on the same principle as sat nav. It gives you accurate results.

There will be disappointment that The Knight's Peak has been demoted,

but for those who maintain the Munro tables, accuracy is key. He was a

stickler for accuracy so we are carrying on his tradition. As for

The Knight's Peak itself, it remains a formidable challenge.

Scotland's match against the USA on Friday is more than just a friendly

according to the striker Steven Naismith. He says it's a chance for

players to prove themselves worthy of places in the squad for the Euro

2016 qualifiers. A couple of his former Rangers team-mates are in the

US team - and back at one of their old haunts. Kherdine Idessane

reports. Back at the Rangers training ground

to Ibrox old boys. Every other week there is a new story. There is a lot

of uncertainty still. One of the biggest clubs in the

world. They will be back on their feet. The main focus for the

Americans is fighting their way past Scotland at Hampden later this

weekend. Scotland can expect a tough test

from these American beers on Friday. Scotland have hit decent form

recently. To be in the thoughts of the manager. He has made it clear he

wants everybody to work hard. Hard work will be needed.

Scotland have made six changes to the team that beat Japan for this

weekend's clash with South Africa. Centre Duncan Taylor makes his first

start with brothers Richie and Jonny Gray potentially in action together

as Jonny starts on the bench. Their head coach says rather than focus on

the sheer size of Sunday's opponents, Scotland must stand tall.

We are at against Bacup editor side. Every side is competitive they

argued. We accept that. But we are out there to compete.

Now, a look at what else is happening across Scottish sport.

Scotland's Rugby League captain says reaching the last four of the World

Cup would be a highlight of his career. Scotland play New Zealand in

the quarterfinals on Friday. We just keep going. Glasgow city needs to

overhaul Arsenal's first leg lead. It is something we had to believe

in. If we can get an early goal the crowd will be behind us and stop St

Johnstone's Tommy Wright is the manager of the month.

World-class ice hockey is coming to Humphreys. Dean GB host part of the

under 20s world championship. We are excited to get going.

Athletics coach Janis Hendry is the Athletics coach Janis Hendry is the

Hulot this year. -- the undersigned hero this year.

The Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is backing a project helping

thousands of young Scots play football and he wants more like it.

It's not providing new coaches, new pitches or even strips, but it's

fulfilling another footballing need and it's going down well with the

players, as our senior football reporter Alasdair Lamont's been

finding out. A Saturday morning like many others

for leaving Vale sports club. But it is make the difference where it's

not for this project. Before there were no changing facilities or at

best they were in disrepair. The result is that these children and

thousands like them can be part of a club.

This initiative is a fantastic idea.

50 clubs already benefit from this scheme. Word of mouth beans it

continues to grow. We are the envy of many. We have had a lot more

support from the parents since these were brought to the club. What is

the best thing about having them? There is a toilet. The basics

matter. Thousands of people used to work in

the linen and jute mills. Now I use project is introducing the almost

forgotten skill of weaving to youngsters.

Weaving the generations together. This terse and learns all about

weaving and much more. Today weaving has almost completely disappeared.

When I started 34 years ago I worked in the finishing department, I

worked in the weaving department. This project is about much more than

just remembering how it used to be. It opens peoples eyes and minds a

bit more. To have that shared interest is amazing. I look at the

older generation and wonder where they are beaver. It is then that has

made history. # Wonder whether they are our

weaver. I think of the older generation differently now. It is

about helping to build a closer community.

Here is the weather. We have seen some deal force winds. Tonight it

stays windy and wet for some. Across Eastern parts generally try. Severe

winds. Breezy elsewhere. Not as strong as the Northwest. I windy

start to the day tomorrow. All told a better day. It is lighter and

sunnier. Plenty of sunshine by mid afternoon. But it will feel called

at times. Still a number of showers. It will be windy across Orkney and

Shetland. Into the evening and overnight still a few showers but

then they tend to die away. Friday sees the arrival of this area of

high pressure. For Friday it is largely dry. Cloudy in the West.

Light rain and drizzle in Argyll and the Highlands. On Saturday this rain

is working its way from North to South. Still holding onto higher

temperatures. We lose the rain and the warmth on Sundays. It will be

fairly windy tomorrow. Now, a reminder of tonight's main

news: The governor of the Bank of England has announced that the

economic recovery has finally "taken hold". Mark Carney's comments came

as the Bank upgraded its growth forecast for next year to 2.8 per

cent. The latest unemployment figures show another fall across the

UK as a whole - but unemployment here has risen slightly.

The owner of a tug boat which sank in the River Clyde killing three

crew has been fined ?1.7 million for breaking health and safety laws. The

vessel, which was based at Greenock, sank in thick fog in December 2007

while towing a cargo boat. The Government in the Philippines

has admitted it's been overwhelmed by the scale of the devastation

caused by Typhoon Haiyan. That is all for now.

Goodbye.