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Douglas,
An interesting overview of the job situation. As someone living in Brussels and temporarily 'resting' (un-employed) I spent a few un-productive minutes searching the internet job-boards hoping to find that elusive position.
A quick analysis showed that of those job being advertised across Europe, the vast majority were for the financial institutions in Brussels, London and Luxembourg. In addition the majority of those were for fixed-term contracting jobs, not permanent positions.
It is very difficult to find anywhere in Europe a job, contracting or permanent, that isn't for a bank or insurance company. It appears that they are the only organisations that have the money to hire staff
I was also suprised to find in London, amongst all the banking jobs, a number of highly paid, management positions for various NHS Trusts. So it's nice to know that NHS Trusts also have the resources to pay more managers a nice high salary.

Strange how the world works these days.

Now that Ryanair has solved the employment crisis gripping Prestwick Airport, will some politicians and businessmen now give my favourite airline credit where it is due. Michael has solved the problems of many people across Europe taking advantage of freedom of labour movement to create a better life for themselves, no doubt at some stage some right wing politician will try and make some connection between him and the immigration issue which is no doubt going toi emerge in the next two months as the lection looms and all parties will try and make political capital out of this. As someone directly involved in finding jobs for around 8000 EEU citizens since Accession Day it may be fair to say that
I have inadvertantly been the single most best customer indirectly of Ryanair.

It also shows how the international nature of the business world works when Ryanair spurn their native Ireland and relocate 200 new jobs in Scotland.

Lang may yer lum reek Michael

As a non Scot surely the biggest concerns in Scotland re the banks will have to be the RBS and Lloyds results when they come out.

Both will have to cut the number of branches they have and as sure as eggs are eggs the smaller and worst performing branches will get cut.

Of the many suggested buyers of branches none seem to be very interested in Scottish branches so I can see many Scottish branches being shut and no one taking them over.

This will help both RBS and Lloyds cut staff reduce costs and if no one comes in to the area they will retain pretty much all of the custom whilst all the time providing a worse and less convenient service at lower costs per account to them.

Somehow I can't see Gordon & Alistair releasing the bad news re bank branch sales; closures and redundancies until after the election.

I may be wrong but I fear I may be correct. I wonder whether the branch disposals will be unevenly spread towards Scotland, Wales and the remoter less affluent parts of England with little in the way of disposals in affluent areas in the South East.

Anyone want to hold a contrary view?

An interesting trap the big banks laid. Snared all the little banks and competitors. Desvastating to the industry, resulting in less choice for the individual, and greater power for the abusers of power. Would be called a quiet coup in other times. They will continue to abuse the public as long as the government lets them. Weakness in the public sector, it has been bought and sold. No one represents the interest of the people and the banks want all the interest they can get.

Me, I'm pretty sure that Mr Brown feels quite proud he has managed to chop up Scotland’s banking sector, using taxpayers’ money to pay off the Bank of England to buy the bits that were left up. What next remove Scotland and any reference to it from all banking nomenclature I would think?
Am pretty sure he feels his evil plan to cripple Scotland, its banks and infrastructure are going better than he could have imagined, even in the darkest corners of his wildest dreams.

Heh, I'll bet Mr Brown is getting a good pat on the back just now from his 'Dark Lord Palpatine Mandelson', maybe even the odd grape :)

Oh dear! Is that how you spell grape?

Worked hard for 30 years plus under the assumption that I was living in a country that cared!
Well I am now no longer unemployed, but then again I am not employed.!
So where am I?
I am currently living with my wife , yes wife not partner, and she is keeping me! So when we see unemployment going up and people claiming Job Seekers going up and we are told, most people get a position within 6 months.
What jobs are they taking? How long will they be in them?

I was cajoled in to looking at Double Glazing sales, and jobs in which I had no experience with, in other words like the wee fella who stuck his finger in the Dyke.It will do for NOW!!!

Also what about people like myself who get no benefits and are officially signed off.

What part of limbo are we in when it comes to the Government calculating figures.

I am pretty well educated so....HND....BA ....MBA....

Please comment if your

Over 40 , Degree educated, had your 6months JSA , and are now struggling to get any benefits from DWP.. or like me get nothing.Be nice to know who we are and what we could do about it