Green Stimulus Package Would Get Stagnant Job Market Moving: Mackintosh

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Apr 2010

Mike and Fred Saved Victorian villas on Craigmillar Park for Redevelopment

Commenting on the news that unemployment in Edinburgh South is now rising faster than the national average, Fred Mackintosh prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh South said

"These figures represent the real consequences of thirteen years of Labour's financial mismanagement.

"This is rise of more than 37% on this time last year, outstripping both the national and regional averages. Edinburgh South is clearly still suffering from the recession.

"Our green stimulus package, announced as part of our manifesto will create new skills and opportunities in Scotland. We'd bring 25,000 empty homes back into use through grants and cheap loans.

"We'd have an eco-cash back scheme with £400 grants to buy double-glazing, replace an old boiler, or install micro-generation.

"All of these measures would create jobs in Edinburgh South at a time when they are badly needed."