May 28, 2006
WHERE THE 70'S NEVER ENDED:
Revealed: grim truth of Scots unemployment (EDDIE BARNES, 5/28/06, The Scotsman)
THE true figure for unemployment in Scotland is 250,000 - almost three times the official number - according to a groundbreaking report.Research conducted by one of Britain's leading authorities on the welfare state claims there are 160,000 "hidden unemployed" in Scotland, many of them forced on to sickness benefits through lack of work.
They outnumber by almost two to one the official unemployment claimant count of 88,000. The 160,000 make up around half of the total number of Scots presently on incapacity benefit, the £78 a week payment given to those who are deemed too ill or disabled to be required to look for work.
However, the report says this group, largely made up of less skilled workers, women and older workers, should be counted as among the unemployed, arguing that they are capable of working and, in a more vigorous economy, would have nothing to stop them finding a job.
Except for receiving benefits by not working.
MORE (via Tom Morin):
Capital send-off for Royal Scots (BBC, 5/26/06)
Well-wishers turned out to cheer the Royal Scots during their paradePosted by Orrin Judd at May 28, 2006 8:16 AM
Hundreds of well-wishers have turned out for the Royal Scots on their last parade in Edinburgh.Friday's event, which marked the end of the Edinburgh regiment's 373-year history, included more than 500 serving soldiers and veterans. [...]
The Royal Scots, formed in 1633, is the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army and won its first battle honour in Tangiers in 1680.
The regiment's first Victoria Cross was won during the Siege of Sevastopol, while in the First World War the number of battalions increased to 35, of which 15 served as active front line units.
Where's Major Jock Sinclair when you need him?
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at May 28, 2006 10:43 AMWe were in Scotland about 25 years ago and found it delightful. We stayed at a B&B in Edinburgh run by a retired military man. Both the house, its furnishings and its proprietor could have been part of a Masterpiece Theater production.
How awful they have been reduced to subsisting on the dole, but it does prove our contention that the courageous and capable Scots are all in the U.S. now and we're very glad to have them.