18/03/2012 Sunday Politics Scotland

It is budget week which means that Westminster Mills get into

overdrive. Will it be good by national rates. Will it be hollow

tycoon tax? What can the Chancellor do to get the wheels of British

And should we rebuilding more on England's green and pleasant land

are should it be back to the drawing board with the Government's

And on Sunday Politics Scotland, Nearly one in four young people in

Scotland doesn't have a job. Will next Wednesday's budget do anything

to help get them back to work? And we hear from Scotland's Special

Envoy and HIV campaigner Annie Lennox. She tells us wealthy

countries should stick to their aid promises if we want to avoid a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 1532 seconds

That is a building permit system not a planning system. If you could

show it was socially or environmental or economically

viable, it would work. What about his.? The issue is there is

complete disagreement about whether are not what Simon Hughes it has is

in the document. We would have argued very strongly that all the

protections that had previously been in place remain in place.

why are you changing it? What we had was a complex system where

there were 1000 pages of planning guidance down to 56. You say you

are making it simpler, but you are not changing the principles it is

based on? We are allowing neighbourhoods to have a greater

say. We are ensuring that the land of the lowest environmental ball --

environmental value is looked at. It is not any sustainable tried --

type of environment. It meant that that it didn't make a profit? I am

expecting the document to have changed. We consulted lawyers,

everyone on this, it was going to be a lawyers' charter. Every

planning application would be appealed against. It was a really

bad system. I am hoping you are right this time. I am confident we

are right this time. Can I answer the point that you have asked me to

answer which was the first one. We are confident the war we had in the

first place was not what Simon described. We were confident in

what was there in terms of sustainable development. Do you

think building should be taking place in existing towns or should

it be in the countryside? I would like to see brownfield spaces in

existing towns to be developed first. It talked-about lowest

environmental amenity value. If you read the document... He has read it.

Away have all read that first document. A none of us has read the

new one. But she will soon have the chance. There is a commitment from

us to have by the end of March which we will do. Away will hold

you to that commitment. It is approaching 12:30pm. You are

Good afternoon and welcome to Sunday Politics Scotland. Coming

upon the programme: The number of people who don't have jobs

continues to spiral upwards. This week it up to 134,000. So how can

we get Scotland back to work? Emil the Chancellor's budget are help or

hinder? We will be talking to the Finance Secretary. Is the

Government's promise of free education really the best package

available in the UK? The Eurythmics singer and HIV

activist Annie Lennox tells us which Western countries are not

delivering on their life-saving promises. If we don't come met and

sustain the kind of work that has been done, it will reverse and

tragically results will be possibly a kind of Cass atrophic thing. --

catastrophic and should are near Shetland take advantage of the

present constitutional wrangling and become independent from

Scotland of a "yes" vote is successful?

Good afternoon. This week, George Osborne wasn't -- George Osborne's

budget has many challenges to address. Tackling unemployment is

one of them, but it is a very important one. Last week, with the

Scottish jobless figures rising yet again, we saw a summit aimed at

tackling youth unemployment. But what can politicians do? Not just

about the short-term, but the long- term challenge? Our business and

economy editor, Douglas Fraser, has been asking how to get Scotland

back to work, for a special programme to be broadcast tomorrow

evening. If there are some jobs in Glasgow

but getting them is not easy. Growing up, you always imagine to

yourselves, I want to do this, I want to do that. You think it will

be easy. I thought I am leaving school, I am going to get a job and

I will work. Then you realise it is not that simple. It is really,

really hard to get a job. In it is not just the downturn, with eight

stalling. It is not clear that the job market offers prosperity. A few

are talking about James, you would talk about having a lot of money, a

family, a big car. The reality I can see myself with a normal job

with a minimum wage. I might have one child and a council house.

reason why youth unemployment matters so much is a lesson from a

previous generation. This man is getting advice from the Wise Group.

Decades later the consequence for his age group - repeat unemployment

and low pay. I have been unemployed for 14 months and all I have been

doing is going on the internet, looking for work and writing a way

for jobs and not getting any replied. Joining different contract

companies and getting told I am just a figure. Other than that,

nothing. It make sure quite lazy. You think, what is the point of

fawning. Ways to get back into the labour force requires adaptability.

So on people say I need a job, any job. When you talk to them, you

find out that Nate -- that may not be true. They may not be aware of

this more or -- other recruitment procedures. We take them back to

find a what they have to offer, what skills do they have, what are

they looking far with no job?, men in particular suffer most. I would

reckon that by the age of three, you have managed to get work in the

future or you are a lost cause. It is simple things, do your parents

talk to you? Do you respond. Do you know how to play with toys? Do you

know how to play with friends? Do you resolve conflicts? In a

hospitality industry those of skills are particularly important.

This hotel chain based in Edinburgh with 800 employees takes the best

candidates on the day and while it is controversial, many with the

right skills come from Holland.. is hard to get the job. If you have

got it, you always try your best. You tried -- Jong has tried to do

the best. I am looking for somebody who are smart and well groomed. Who

turns up on time if not before. I am looking for someone who smiles

with a natural smile. Someone who can hold eye-contact. I am looking

for some creativeness, a spark. How much of that spark should come

from politics? This week in Dundee, Scotland's three years of

Government joined forces with up those who may have answers. The

politicians report has repeated the same mistakes, been too short-term

and then people exposed. For people who have not got skills, you go

through what the jobs are like in the JobCentre and you can see the

employers do not at guaranteed to provide you West minimum wage.

There is no guaranteed holiday. These are exploitative forms of

employment which provides no protection at all. It is a disgrace.

That report by Douglas Fraser. And his programme called 'Getting

Scotland Back to Work' is broadcast on BBC Scotland tomorrow evening at

10:35pm. I am joined now by the Finance

Secretary John Swinney who is in our Dundee studio.

Mr Swinney, the jobless total in Scotland is still on the rise.

234,000 now. How much higher do you expected to go? What we're seeing

with the unemployment position is a reflection of the difficult

economic conditions that we face and the challenge for us to make

sure that we take every step we can to address that so those economic

conditions and that we use every available intervention we have to

try to create employment of sit in Scotland. That has been the

approach the Scottish Government has taken about her own

responsibilities. It is also what we have encouraged the UK

Government to do as approaches the budget as we look forward to next

May. Do you expect that figure to follow any time soon? What we saw

in the figures that came out last week was a slow -- slowing up Ben

the increase of unemployment. I appreciate that situation is still

very significant. That is a welcome indication that the scale of

increase is slowing up, we may be looking at a more optimistic

outlook. I think from the other surveys that have been published,

particularly, the one on business attitudes, there is a growing level

of confidence within the economy. If there is that, then that will

help in the whole process of job creation and Scotland. The problem

is that unemployment is a lagging indicator and as we can say, youth

unemployment is just going to keep on rising. It is over 100,000 now

and it could get much worse than that. Youth unemployment is serious.

That is why the Scottish Government has taken the steps it has taken to

a point as specific Minister dealing with youth unemployment. It

is why we have put in place 25,000 modern apprenticeships to be

supported in every year of this Parliamentary term. It is why we

have given a guaranteed every 16 to 19-year-old that if they cannot

find a job, we will make sure that they have got employment are

training opportunity available to them. As a park funding for

colleges? The college funding situation was given a boost just a

few weeks ago. We are in a position to deliver that commitment to have

a place for every 16 to 19-year-old in training or education. Does this

weekend we have set out the level of funding they will go to six

local authorities in Scotland which have particular difficulties in the

field of youth unemployment. We will be supporting different

projects a local level and complementing the work that the

Government is taking forward. last point, funding some local

authorities. It is only �9 million and it is only Glasgow and its

surrounding local authority areas. Why are you only focusing a Glasgow

and the surrounding areas? Is that because there is an election coming

up? No There is an intensity of unemployment in these areas. If

people argue that we should concentrate in the areas of most

difficulty, we should do that. We should not be criticised on taking

a focused approach. But of course it is all part of a wider economic

message where we are intent on making sure the Scottish economy

work -- economy grows. We look to work effectively across all areas

of the economy to make the most of those particular opportunities.

what you make of one of the measures that is being suggested as

a possible budget measure to be announced on Wednesday by the

Chancellor, the prospect of a freeze on public-sector pay in some

parts of the UK? In parts of the UK where there is a lower cost of

living, to try to persuade more people to get jobs and the private

sector. Is that something you support? I think that is a generous

way of describing what I have heard the Chancellor's proposal is

rumoured to be. It is a reduction in pay for people in areas lie with

the side that England. -- the South of England. That will be a

disastrous approach if it is taken by the Chancellor because it will

undermine economic confidence in areas far removed from the South

East of England. It will do absolutely nothing to solve the

regional inequities that exist within the UK. I think it is an

indication of this is a fact that my counterparts in Wales and

Northern island and is opposed to this as I am. Edgar sure measure of

the potential disastrous impact this will have, not only on

employment and renumeration but on public expenditure. Will you

intervene to prevent that from having effect -- an effect in

Scotland? I have made clear to the Treasury, both in writing and in

person, my complete opposition to the approach they are taking a

regional pay. If the United Kingdom Government is interested in taking

their views of the devolved administration, they have not got a

basis to what the poor -- the Chancellor has proposed.

control �30 billion of public Scotland -- public spending in

Scotland. You could top-up those salaries to negate the effect of

that policy if it is announced. cannot intervene on pay rates which

I have no control over. Let's be clear. The Scottish Government will

go nowhere near this proposal for the areas and people that I said to

be under control. When it comes to the day -- the UK Government

responsibilities, regional pay would be damaging to individuals.

It would be damaging to local economies and Scotland and to

public expenditure in Scotland. We will oppose it.

We are joined now by two party finance spokesman. In Edinburgh,

Gavin Brown for the Scottish Conservatives, and here in Glasgow,

Scotland's -- Scottish Labour's Ken Macintosh.

Let me as Ken Macintosh about this measure. Knitted as a possible

solution to the gap that exists between public sector and private

sector employment in Scotland. Would you back that measure? No, I

find myself in agreement with John Swinney. It is not just a bad

measure. It is dangerous because it seems to be based on the premise

that the public and the private sector are rival sectors, that

public sector... The private sector, we need the private sector to be

dynamic. We need up public sector to be there to provide services and

the two makar intertwined. And wages and the public sector are

part of the dynamic of the spend in the private sector. They are

There was a quote in this is not -- is not an official Government

policy. You should not very carefully, any change would have to

be done extremely carefully to avoid some of the dangers that have

been touched on by the two previous speakers. Ultimately, the cost of

living in some parts of the country is different to the cost of living

in other parts of the country. I think there is a degree of

speculation in terms of what has been reported. In the meantime,

calls for a change of direction from the Chancellor, calls for him

to introduce a planned a plus or a plan B, call it what you like, to

try and generate some growth. Do you agree with those calls or is it

steady as she goes? This idea of the Scottish plan B is slightly

absurd. Priority number one must be ensuring that we maintain their

triple-A status for the United Kingdom. Any diminution of that,

any drop of that could lead to enormous paws on interest

repayments and damage the country and economy. On top of that, we

must address unemployment, and in particular, youth unemployment and

try and get a degree of growth back into our economy. I think we are

helped slightly from across the Atlantic from the news from the

United States, one of our key export markets. When the economy

picks up, it tends to have some kind of positive effect. We do not

necessarily follow exactly. Look to America and hope for the best? It

does not sound like much of a strategy. No, but something like

the use contract which was announced, 160,000 people from the

ages of 18 and 24, that actually goes live in April so that was an

ex-lover knighted at the time. It has not gone why get and so has not

managed to have an impact at the time. Ken Macintosh, it is easy to

talk about investment and trying to invest to create growth and jobs,

but what we must create in Scotland is private sector jobs. To deal

with the fact that the public sector is a shrinking just now.

Labour have not been very good at doing that. We must treat both. I

do not see the difference between the public and private sector in

those terms. But they are distinct, surely? Yes, but I do not think

they are interdependent. You cannot have private sector growth without

a strong public sector. The major issue the moment with the Tory

plans is that they are not delivering. Either in terms of pain

down the deficit or in jobs and growth. What worries me is that

they are fundamentally unfair. I do not quite understand what is

happening with this Budget. People talk in the lead-up to the Budget

seems to be about how much more we can attack the public sector and

whether or not to get rid of a 50p tax rate on those earning over

�150,000. We're talking about tried to protect the rich and poor will

often society, where everyone else, those who would have been earning

tax credits or gaining benefit or child benefits, and those on public

sector pay are getting their pay frozen. Everyone at work on middle

earnings are getting hammered. The Chancellor is concerned with those

at the top of the plan is not working. Gavin Brown, will be are

always in this together. Macintosh says he does not

understand the Budget. I believe the main reason for that is that it

has not happened bed. But the speculation about 50p tax... Very

briefly, would you support the cut in a 50p tax rate? Would I

supported? Personally, of course I would like to see it. I think there

is something important psychologically... But that is not

a priority, it cannot be a priority. I think there is a number of

priorities, but in theory I would like to see it happen. The

Chancellor has been quite clear that he is trying to help low and

middle earners with this Budget, and that is his priority this time

around. That is his priority, low and middle earners. If it was true

that would certainly be what we want, but can I say that every

single piece of speculation, and it is speculation, but every piece of

speculation has been about protecting the better off and

squeezing those in the middle. For example, those who are getting

pension relief, those earning one had and �50,000 are getting pension

relief. These are massive sums of money coming into the Treasury that

could be used to protect working tax credits. -- are those on

�150,000. The head or political steam has

been building a road affordable childcare and nursery education.

The First Minister grabbed headlines with a promise to

increase free nursery provision. That may not take effect for

several years. Meanwhile, an influential study has pointed out

that costs and patchy provision of childcare here. Our correspondent

reports now on the arguments as to whether Scotland is ahead of the

tour were lagging behind. Children these days. If Mum and Dad

had a job, a nursery place or some other form of childcare can make

all the difference between juggling parenthood and work. For the

Scotland's Government Ellie years plant aims to benefit children

parents and the economy. At the SNP spring conference, one of Alex

Allen's he promises was about nurseries. We will place into the

new children spell at Parliament next year a statutory guarantee of

over 600 hours of free nursery education for every Scottish three

and four-year-old. -- one of Alex Salmond's.

A's -- for every Scottish three and four-year-old, and for every looked

after two-year-old in her land. The best package of free nursery

education on offer anywhere in the United Kingdom. A statement of

faith and commitment for the future. Scotland is promising more than 600

hours per year Frida save for all three and 40 old. How does that

match up to the best of the United Kingdom? De annual hours in England

Kingdom? De annual hours in England are 570. In Wales, there is a

minimum of 380 hours, but some minimum of 380 hours, but some

councils provide extra. In Northern Ireland, the figure varies between

475 at 800 hours. The authorities there do not tend to fund more than

there do not tend to fund more than one year. Alex Allen's promise on

nursery owners went down well with the party faithful. It came up

again at First Minister's question. A family's need action now. Not a

clause in a children's bill, and not a two-year delay. Families do

not just need legislation in the future, they need a Government now

that will provide the funding to deliver reliable and affordable

childcare when people need it. Glasgow, St Roch's childcare

services takes in very young children. For their parents,

finding affordable and flexible childcare is crucial. I know what

I'm getting every month, so I am budgeted for that. So I know where

I stand every month, but if I was to get a little bit more help, that

would be easier. If it is expensive, the childcare. Sometimes I can't

afford it. The issue has also been on the news. Here in Scotland,

young families are pay more for childcare than almost anywhere in

the UK. A survey from the charity the day-care Trust and children in

Scotland found that prices here were on a par with the south-east

of England, and there were huge gaps in provision. The charity's

report was called the Scottish Child care lottery, and featured in

the holidays debate led by the Liberal Democrats. These issues

appear to be specific to Scotland and confirmed that any number of

areas we lack behind the rest of the UK. This is worrying. For our

children, high-quality healthcare including nursery care can be key

to supporting their development. The Conservatives say the system in

Scotland is not flexible enough. Instead of choice been about when

and how to spend entitlement, it becomes a debate about whether to

work or to have childcare. Actually, that has very serious consequences

for some parents, particularly if they are on their own.

Children's Minister announced plans to make the current scheme work

better, and Lunn bustard welfare reforms brought in by the

Government in Westminster. Across the country, parents wait delivery

of the promise on childcare. It is due to start is to many -- journey

through Parliament next year. Inner Edinburgh studio is Bronwen

Cohen, chief executive of children in Scotland. Add in the studio we

are joined by Professor Ron McWade, head of the Employment Institute at

Edinburgh University. -- Professor Ron McQuaid.

It is hard for families to balance work with family life, are there

signs that some are finding it impossible? It is very hard, and I

think that Scotland East to be much better than England and Wales. I

think that it is the -- I think that the situation it now is in a

worse place for parents than in England and Wales. I do think that

we should be aspiring to do more than just try and be better than

those elsewhere in the UK. We need to actually be addressing her very

poor position in terms of Europe as a whole. These UK as a whole is

failing miserably to meet the targets set ten years ago by the

European Commission. It is for full-time places for more than 90%

of three and four-year-olds. And for 33% of under three year old.

The figures we are looking at in Scotland are 5% for under-threes

and a quarter of three and four- year-old, if we are looking at

full-time places. That makes it very hard for families. I beg your

pardon, sorry to interrupt, but the effect, one McWade, is that woman

stop working when they have children and do not return to the

work for. -- Ron McQuaid. Many women work part-time, actually.

Around 43% of women work part-time. That is half-a-million woman. Many

of those return later as part time work or they read the work force

altogether. But when they do return, often they did not reach the full

potential Dessie had India Korea beforehand. We are bad at

supporting people. -- potential of they had in India career. That is a

brain drain, in effect? It is a huge brain-drain. The skills and

experience of these people are not being used. If you are in your late

30s, and you are -- and your children are grown-up and you are

going into the labour force, you still have more than 30 years in

the workforce ahead. Bronwen Cohen, in terms of specific measures to

address this problem, Alex Salmond announced last year at 600 hours of

free nursery care for each child, he will put it in law. It may take

a few years until it comes into effect. What impact will that have?

I am very pleased that the First Minister has decided to take a lead

on addressing this issue, I believe the situation has gone worse. The

benefits of investing in proper early years, they are not just a

matter of for Education, they are not just a matter for employment.

They call across the Scottish economy. That Scotland is going to

actually achieved the aspirations that we set ourselves, then early

years has a place in it. It is good that he is taking the lead on it,

but what he must do is address the fragmentation, the fragmented

approach we take to this. problem is that it is only a

partial solution, isn't it? There is 16 hours three per week, but

parents must pick up the tab for everything else if they want to

work. Absolutely, because we insist on treating early education as

something that is separate from the care that working parents require,

but also the broader needs that children themselves have. We divide

between overseas and under-threes, and we divide between education and

health. We talk about childcare and then talk about pre-school

education. The countries that have succeeded in addressing this, at

all countries started at the same position, but the countries that

have achieved it have done it by bringing together education and

childcare, recognising the contribution to health and other

areas. In the contribution -- in the context of your earlier story

about the economy and budget, it is time that we recognise that

investing in these services is not just a long-term matter, it is

about achieving things in the longer term, I believe quite

strongly that we must look at how we can galvanise the Scottish

economy. The single biggest group of children living in poverty, the

single biggest group of Scots living in poverty, our children

under three. A quarter of children under three are in families living

under the poverty threshold. What is the root out of that? Better

services. Roman McWade, that sounds like a need for big Government. Is

there an appetite for that kind of radical change? To provide that

Billy here support to let women back into the workforce? I totally

agree that we must have a much more joined up, much more comprehensive

review of looking at not just nurseries, but childcare and

support. It is not just about childcare, it is about tax and the

pliability support. And other issues such as transport, which we

need to provide a whole package for people to get back into work and to

continue into work. Working for families did try to do that, around

five years ago, in 2004 to 2008. There was �50 million spent by the

Scottish Government one working families. It deliberately tried to

integrate various types of childcare. OK, we are short of time,

but problem:, one of the issues that this raises a is the role of

state nurseries. -- Bronwen Cohen. At holidays, Easter and Christmas,

children do not get the wrap around care that is needed. Should there,

could there be a reform of that to help more women get back into work?

You mean in terms of making greater use of schools? Absolutely.

Countries that have achieved this have done it by making much more

effective use of schools. It is not just a matter of more money, we

should be making more effective use of money. Surveys show that these

UK spent quite a lot by early years. Word has it: what to be achieved?

What we are doing is funding poverty, funding fragmentation,

because we do not have a grip on bringing together these areas

benefits which extend beyond ending poverty. They extend beyond

education, they moved into areas like greater creativity, what of

research now shows the benefits that come in the longer term over

the lifetime, not only in terms of health but in terms of education,

creativity, employability. That is why I say it is an issue for the

First Minister. The First Minister must take a grip of this. Whilst we

are reduced to be much better than England and Wales, or we are now

not so good and we need to actually move back and do something about it.

The multi-award-winning singer Annie Lennox was back in Scotland

this week. She visited Holyrood to update them on a role as special

and -- as special envoy to after car for the Commonwealth

Parliamentary Association. Earlier in the year, she went to Mullaly

with the Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson. We got up -- we cut up

with her and began by asking if this was a critical moment in the

battle against HIV and AIDS. Anyone who is representing any issue is

now having to fight for this. So despite all of the tremendous

progress that has been made over their last decade or so, if we

don't come met and sustained the type of work that has been done, it

will reverse. Tragically their results will be possibly a kind of

catastrophic thing. And I think it would be really be a mess if we

don't see through our Millennium development goals, we don't Ellice

commit and sustained stay without gall and focus. From this has been

made and some of them have not been followed on by some of the ones

made by the richest countries in the world. -- promises. Companies

like Germany, Japan. It is not paying its full share into the

global fund. It must be frustrating for you? I think it is absolutely

frustrating when one, when you have seen the background of the issues

that one is representing, in terms of education, nutrition for

children. In terms of women's rights and source of healthcare. It

just goes right across the board. Here in Edinburgh when we were

campaigning in the make cover to -- Make Poverty History campaign, also

knew that this was not something that was going to happen overnight.

Poverty will never be made history overnight. But what we can do is

make consistent attempts to keep the issue on the agenda. And how do

you persuade countries in the West, which have problems with money,

where unemployment is on the rise, where they struggle to deal with

poverty in their own backyard. How do you persuade them to give their

money to solve problems, perhaps on the other side of the world?

completely understand how people are not feel. But we live in

wealthy circumstances. I am a very privileged person. I think Fermi,

the issue is an ethical one. We spent three times more on bottled

water than we do to international aid. We have to get it into

perspective. In some ways we are getting less worried by HIV and

AIDS in the West as anti- -- as drugs take hold. Less people are

dying here. Here the problem is... In visible. That is the problem.

When issues are basing a whole population, it is an emergency,

then we want to respond because it is there on the front news. It is

in the papers. With the issue of HIV, for example, there is a lot of

stigma around it, a lot of silence around it. Even in the countries

where people have been wiped out on a regular basis, people are

hesitant to talk about HIV and AIDS because of the stigma. So part of

the challenge for an active as like myself is to keep pushing, so that

it stays on the agenda. When you hear that message about safe sex,

one that has tremendous effect on the problem, there are still summon

the West announce that message. You hear from the Catholic Church and

the ball. He must despair when you hear that? I'm do despair. I here

and say what a nonce and it is. -- what a nonsense. A condom use, it

is important. People get the contradictory message in a very

powerful one coming from the Church, to say no, you should not use their

condom. This is a nightmare. are here talking to the Scottish

Government about a global struggle against a pandemic alert. But the

focus here in Scholl and right now, if the political debate is

dominated by a discussion on independence. -- in Scotland. Do

you ever think to yourself this is navel-gazing. They should think our

words. I understand, historically whether Scotland's days as part of

the British Isles are is an independent country, is there not

been thing for everyone. Life carries on as normal. In 30 years'

time when we look back, when we were all saying will Scotland the

Independent are not? This will be a critical time in their future for

the people of Scotland. We will leave it there. Thank you.

Annie Lennox there. Now should are near Shetland be allowed to remain

part of the UK if the island's reject independence and the rest of

Scotland falls far it in the referendum? A suggestion has come

from both Lib Dem MPs for the Northern Isles, Tavish Scotland

Liam McArthur. In the respond to the UK Government's referendum

consultation, they are advocating enhanced powers for that islands

including a different tax status within the UK. John Johnston

reports. Shetland has considered itself

different. It is proud to fly its own flag. It combines Scotland's

national colours with an offset cross. Each year the community

celebrates its Viking heritage. Many of Shetland's place names them

from the old Norse language. Shetland has got a different

history. Shell and was once part of Scandinavia. But a period of

prosperity, Shetland has got very interested in their north past. --

Norse. The islands are best known for the fiddle music. There is also

assigned you will find anywhere else. The Shetland dialect. It is a

dialect of Scots because we have been a part of Scotland for over

500 years. But because of the 500 years before that we were part of

Scandinavia, there are parts of the dialect which relate to Old Norse.

But now the SNP's push for independence is reopening

discussions about Scotland -- Shetland's constitutional position.

We learn in the 70s when we took on central Government that we could do

much better for the islands with our agreements with the oil

companies. We have to look at that taper system again, a different

system of taxation so we get cheaper fuel and cheaper transport.

That is what will keep these islands a life. Afresh catch of

crabs. Shetland was given the first regulated order and 2002 giving

local fishermen the power to look after their own Inshaw fishery. The

Island's she food industry is worth �320 million to their local economy.

It has been a total disaster for the communities that depend on the

fishery. What we need is regionalisation. That means

listening to the fishermen, to the people, and to those who have to

abide by the regulations. Tavish Scotland Liam McArthur say it is

time to renegotiate their constitutional relationship between

the Northern Isles and the Scottish mainland. They want to see more pub

powers for the islands. To achieve that we need to have some political

leverage. There needs that organisation that is pushing for

autonomy. I do not see that here. To see their kind of things that

have issues after, we have to be have to walk into Holyrood and to

deal to say, we need to strike a deal here. I do not see us having

any jets to put in front of the table. The Northern Isles adopted a

different perspective and the 1970s on the constitutional debate from

the rest of Scotland. There remains to be seen in 2014 what destination

it decides on in this constitutional journey.

Tavish Scott, the MSP for the Shetland Islands is with us now.

Thanks for joining us. So of Scotland rose to become part

Independent a few years far now, with that result be accepted in the

Northern Isles? Who knows. The real point here is that instead of

waiting to see what happens to us in the islands, Liam McArthur and I

want to make sure there is a real debate about what we want on the

governments of all scholar than the UK. Instead of just being seen as a

box of the money first. We want to make sure we are seeing. -- Moray

firth. To be absolutely clear, is Scotland goes independent, Shetland

and the Orkney Isles may not going dependent, would that be right?

That is what we're trying to elicit from the submission that we have

played to the UK Government's discussion documents. I am not

convinced the people of Shetland will fall for Scott -- for

independence. -- will vote for. I think there is a great opportunity

for Orkney and Shetland to decide the path for us. To make sure that

those responsibilities maintain our economy and culture. What status

would you like to see the Northern Isles have? A more autonomy, more

like the Isle of Man? What do you imagine? I do want to see more

autonomy because what we have seen over the last five years as a

centralising of powers to enter Edinburgh, the taking away of

responsibilities from local people. I do not think that is good for the

islands at all. I want to devolve the powers to a local island so

that we can take good decisions for the long-term interests of marine

businesses, such as fishing and seafood businesses that depend on

the sea far future. It is of the UK and I and another we would like to

target in making a positive argument For Change they could

astound -- strengthen our economy and identity. Should Glasgow,

should Aberdeen have greater autonomy then? I am not the SNP for

any other areas you have mentioned. -- MSP. In the past, the SNP did

articulate a policy position of self-determination for the Northern

Isles and I simply want to hold them to that. If their approach to

the future of Scotland is based on oil and gas being part of the

financial deal that would make Scotland Independent, that would

allow Scotland to be independent, if it is a geographical share of

gas and oil, Shetland and Orkney have a big stake and that as well.

We have some pretty good chips to play and those are the ones the

people of the island should decide on. You mention the Crown Estates,

that is an uncontentious issue. But if you start arguing about a share

of Scotland's oil, that is dynamite. Yes. And Mr Salmond deploys that

argument. I think that what we want to observe from the Northern Isles

is that if it is a good enough argument in Edinburgh, it is a good

one incur work -- work well. We plan to use that in the discussion

that will take place in that aspect of independence. Tavish Scott. I do

Now to the last of our special CDs looking at the council elections in

May. We have looked at the beck for parties, but that is only part of

the story. The introduction of proportional representation in

local Government has led to a wider range of views being represented in

council chambers around the land. Our correspondent has been talking

to two councilors with contrasting perspectives. It begins to the

Highlands, where not so long ago a bulk of cows was were not from a

major party. -- a bulk of councillors were not

from a major party. The Highlands. They'd spent part of

Scotland with a distinct way of Highland Council, too, is

distinctive. It serves the largest geographical area of any council in

the UK. Together, with some of the most Knut -- some of the most

remote communities anywhere on the British mainland. Perhaps then it

is no wonder that local politics here has a distinctive dimension.

In much of the Highlands and Islands, There is a long tradition

of independent counsellors standing on a platform divorced from normal

party politics. As a general rule, proportional representation in

council elections as felt independence and smaller parties.

But even the Highlands proportion representation has actually helps

the political parties and played a part in reducing the role of the

independence. Sandy Park is about to retire as a

councillor after some 18 years. He rose to become convenor and sought

independence grow from a majority to the biggest minority. I have had

a tremendous working relationship with the Scottish Government, one

of the reasons is that I have been an independent councillor. I have

had confidential conversations with the major Scottish Government

officials and, indeed, from the First Minister to John Swinney, as

they would not confide if I was a political member. I think the

Independent councillor has that Bowness. By proportional

representation did not just lead to more councillors from the political

parties in the Highlands, it also means that each council ward in

Scotland now has several councillors. I think a big plus in

the past was that you had a ward and you council. Nowadays we have a

multi-member wards. For councils represents the whole of Nairn. In

the past you had your own ward and that was you really looking after

that word. I think people really appreciated having one councillor

for one ward. I feel really strongly about that. I think we

should return to one word for one council. Edinburgh may share a

little of the Highlands rugged landscape, but the effect of

proportional representation here was more conventional. It helps the

smaller parties. Thanks to PR, the Greens have a voice now. The creams

got there first seats on the council in 2007. This councillor is

now an MSP, too. I think it has been very important. All of those

people who want a green voice representing them finally have that

choice. I think that boys has been an effective and active one.

Certainly, we are very proud of her contribution in Edinburgh. We

simply have to look at the number of motions to have tabled an the

questions he asked, the scrutiny be have applied to the decisions they

administration has taken, be an effective. When the numbers in the

Council has finally balas, it is easier for every grit in the

council to have at least some influence. Everyone's voice is

important. There is more discussion within the groups, and you can

arrive at positions of consensus when possible, and certainly, we

vote for issues on their merits. They have voted with different

parties on different issues. That is a healthy thing. In the

Highlands, supporters of PR always argued that it could change the

landscape of councils. Nobody would dispute that has happened, even if

some, they believe, not all change has been for the better.

Our correspondent, Jamie McIver. He is the lunchtime news.

Thank you. Good afternoon. Scotland's Finance Secretary has

said that UK Government plans to scrap national pay rates in

discreet's budget would be disastrous. The Chancellor is

expected to say that civil servants should have paid brought in line

with private sector salaries in their regions. John Swinney claims

it would be damaging for individuals, local economies and

public expenditure in Scotland. The Scottish Conservatives have

announced that they are starting a new campaign group to fight for the

union. Conservative friends of the union will be watched by the party

leader at the conference entrain at the end of the week. Ruth Davidson

said that CFU would be a home for all Scots who want to stay in the

unions. Scotland's Public Health Minister

wants adverts for food which it is high in fat and salt to not be

broadcast before the 9pm watershed. Michael Matheson has written to the

Westminster Government to ask if they would support a ban across the

UK. Ministers say, however, that the current rules for TV

advertising are proportional and balanced. Mr Matson disagrees.

Existing arrangements through of, are not working in the way through

which they were intended. The best way to deal with this is to have a

pre-watershed band so that these types of products cannot be

advertised by a to 9pm. Game doing so, we can reduce the exposure that

young people have to this type of young people have to this type of

advertising. And now the weather. Are very much like yesterday, we

are looking at a lot of dry and fine weather across the country. We

are almost see wall-to-wall sunshine and it will stay that way

for the rest of the day. The best of the sunshine will be across this

north-east corner, but nearly everyone will see the sun. We will

continue to see shivers across the northern isles. There will be high

temperatures of around 11 degrees in this north-east corner. Quite a

fresh north-westerly wind in the north, but later went inland.

That is it for now, our next That is it for now, our next

bulletin is at 6:50pm. Any moment, we will be discussing

the big events coming up this week. First let's take a look back at the

A new law introducing a minimum unit price for a call passed its

first major parliamentary hurdle by 86 votes 2-0, Labour abstained.

The Provost of Perth and Kinross was among those celebrating the new

status it has as a city. The number of Scots out of work

rose by 6,000 this month, taking the total to 234,000.

The UK Government's First National Convention on youth unemployment

took place in Dundee. The work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan

Smith explained why it was needed. It is matching young people to the

jobs that their experience and capabilities. If we do that, we

will see the level of youth unemployment fall. David Gilroy was

found guilty of killing his former lover. She disappeared on her way

to work in the centre of Edinburgh in the 2010.

This week, everyone will be keeping their eye on the breadbox on its

way to the despatch box. -- cornet d'Or red box.

And with any to look towards the budget is Lucy Adams from the

Herald newspaper and in Edinburgh, the Telegraph's and Cochrane.

We see Adams, all eyes on the budget? What can we expect? I think

we know from some of the information that has been casually

and leaked to newspapers that we are looking at a big argument about

public sector pay in terms of variations across the country. As

John Swinney said earlier, it is quite alarming in terms of the

impact it could have, in terms of the divide we already have in the

north and south of the country. We have also been falling over the

past few weeks the row about whether the 50% rate of tax for

those earning �150,000 or more will stay or cold. If it does go, what

will feel at Dems get from that? Will they have their mansion tax,

as Vince Cable talked about? Or will we have Nick Clegg's tycoon

tax, of which we have seen almost no details whatsoever. Those are

the king fairly unlikely. It is a good question, Alan Cochrane, what

will the Liberal Democrats get out of this Budget, if anything? We see

a whole range of measures being proposed quite clearly by the

Conservatives. At the Lib Dems getting anything but the scraps

from the table? The Liberal Democrats are apparently fairly

relaxed of the 50p then, provided it gets them a big sledgehammer to

whack the rich on tax avoidance. I think on the business of public

sector pay differentials throughout the UK, they are probably going to

go along with that as well. It is not about punishing civil servants

in Scotland or the North of England, it is about helping private

employers to recruit people. Currently, just in my industry, the

newspaper industry, I know lots of young reporters in Scotland have

gone to work for the Government as press officers, civil servant press

officers. He would not go and be a press officer for the excitement,

as you go for the extra money. That is what is happening, you are

getting more working in St Andrew's House as a press officer and you

getting working for the Herald. That is just my industry, that is

happening all over British industry. The private sector cannot complete

with public's -- cannot compete with public sector pay. You can

make that argument, C Adams, but it will not necessarily play with a

Scotland that has a very high level of public sector employment.

Absolutely, and it can only exacerbate the difference is there

already are in terms of the South East and places like Scotland. I

feel as well that this is a massive distraction. In a week where he

will find it difficult to explain the lack of growth, the huge levels

of debt that the country is still in. And the fact that he has

nothing exciting to throw out there. This seems to me like a massive

distraction. He knows there will be a huge row about this for the rest

of the week, and Scotland will be extraordinarily unhappy. We had a

huge number of people working within the public sector who will

not take this lying down. problem, Alan Cochrane, as the

Government tries to pursue the so- called respected gender, as it

tries to connect with Scott on the head of an independence referendum,

this sort of measure would appear to be going up the drawbridge

around the south-east of England? That is bladders. It is not a

protecting London or the south-east, it is about helping, Lucy talks

about growth quite rightly, it is about helping growth in the private

sector and stimulating growth in the private sector by getting

people into work in the private sector. The public sector is big in

Scotland and of course Scotland will be unhappy. Scotland tends to

be unhappy about the public sector about everything. But this is a

positive move. It is about helping kids work in the private sector and

not the public sector. Lucy Adams, there is growing concern about

unemployment. The rate rises and rises. The Chancellor is under

pressure to do something. To try and stimulate growth. And by

stimulating growth complicating a few jobs. What options are open to

head? Are there any easy option scheme at because of the lack of

growth, there does not seem to be any easy options. Unemployment is

at the 16 year high. What we have seen are some very side issues,

some very contentious things about people working for free in

supermarkets and people try to build up work experience without

getting paid whatsoever. The UK Government has talked about plants

that they have for John people in investment, to put into young

people, but all that seems very paltry in contrast to the lack of

jobs. And the lack of aspirations as well for young people coming out

of any kind of education, whether it is university or otherwise, as

we have an enormous amount of examples of people who are very

well educated but simply cannot find a job. Therein lies the

challenge, Alan Cochrane, to create jobs. It is a difficult thing for

any Government to do. Government cannot create jobs, they

can only create the conditions for jobs. What they're trying to do is

create conditions for kids to go into the private sector and get

jobs. Was he is right, there is a huge problem with youth

unemployment. She has also read, many educated people are coming out

of university and cannot get a job. But Abbey educated in things that

employers want them to be educated in? -- but are to be educated. Lucy

is absolutely right, the pay differential thing will not be the

main thing in the Budget, that is probably going to be a long weeks

time. But it will not affect what the workers in the public sector in

Scotland. It will not affect teachers or nurses, in both of

those cases, the wage rates are set in Scotland. The horse-trading that

has been going on his the first time that we have seen this in

public, were the two sides of the Cabinet are hard to do with one

another in public about how the am going to do a deal with one another.

We have never seen this before because we have never had a

coalition Government. It is fascinating, because in the past,

when Gordon Brown was Chancellor, he told the Cabinet on the morning

of the Budget what was in it, he did not tell them before. Margaret

Thatcher and Geoffrey Howe did not tell the Cabinet because they

thought they would like it. But now we have a rough idea what the two

sides fought and died rough idea what people get. Lucy Adams, it is

an extraordinary lead-up to this. We have had so many weeks, be have

had to Vince Cable's letter criticising the lack of vision,