I Knew It !!!

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:01 pm

Scotland ranked 'worst small country'

Gloomy conclusion of business probe

By Lester Haines → More by this author

Published Monday 11th June 2007 10:18 GMT

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Scotland's life expectancy rate was "a major factor" in it being rated Western Europe's worst-performing small country, the BBC reports.

That's according to the The Federation of Small Businesses' (FSB) annual Index of Wealth, which cast an eye over 10 countries - including Iceland, the Republic of Ireland, and Norway - with less that nine million citizens, assessing "economic performance, employment rates, health and education".

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FSB Scotland policy convener Andy Willox declared: "The index clearly shows that, on these indicators, Scotland is the worst small country in western Europe, and requires urgent action to improve both our life chances and life expectancy. Coming as it does so soon after the election of an SNP government, this year's index shows the new First Minister Alex Salmond will have his work cut out for him if he is to match reality with his aspiration of making Scotland healthier, wealthier, and fairer."

Regarding Scots' tendency to pop their clogs earlier than the competition, Willcox said: "We are already far down the table of comparator countries, and on every count we are travelling in the wrong direction. Health, education, the employment rate, and economic performance are all interlinked. Improvements in health or education should help businesses recruit and retain healthy and highly skilled staff, thus boosting productivity and ultimately economic growth."

The FSB fingered Glasgow as the "worst performing local authority area in Scotland", coming bottom in the areas of mortality, education, and employment. Willcox described the city's lamentable showing as "deeply troubling".

A Scottish government spokeswoman admitted the country's performance was "disappointing", but said it "supports the new SNP administration's case for making the Scottish economy more dynamic and competitive".

She concluded: "This government is determined that Scotland can and will do better. The policies we put in place with the powers of devolution will improve our performance, and with the fuller powers of independence we can give Scotland a clear competitive edge in achieving our overarching aim of strong, sustainable economic growth."

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 2:04 am

Are you missing me Nomie :sneaky:

Musiclover89 · Post by **Musiclover89** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 3:28 am

Makes me proud to be Scottish :wah:

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:16 am

At least we manage to get to the top of the league table and stay there. We arra peepul!

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:08 am

Nomad, that's the worst copy/paste I've ever seen.

Get your act together.

:yh_giggle

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:09 am

I found the first paragraph fascinating! :yh_hypno

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:14 am

sunny104;638006 wrote: I found the first paragraph fascinating! :yh_hypno
Yeah it was like they tried to use all the keys on their keyboard.

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:35 am

I wonder where we came in this survey, I bet we won the drinking competition, bloody Irish. I have to commiserate with my Celtic cousins the scots, and don't worra, yee will win some day. Sure don't you have the prettiest country? Tis a grand place scotland, and no mistakes.

Chookie · Post by **Chookie** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:11 pm

Bad boy Nomie - take 100 lines " I must, I must, increase my bust" alternatively, apply to Koan for discipline.

Here's the link to that story - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6739007.stm

There is another side to it though - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770

and for change, a Government showing sense - http://www.holyrood.com/content/view/555/23/

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:16 am

What i find quite refreshing is the scots on this board dont get all wound up & start defending or being all patriotic about these kinda posts :-4

The Rob · Post by **The Rob** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:19 am

I still love you guys and your country and want to visit someday, even if I can't understand a dang word you say. :-4