The Scottish Government has backed plans for a major jobs summit in Dundee to tackle its unemployment problem.
Scotland Office minister Andrew Dunlop proposed the plan during an interview with The Courier as he toured some of the city’s booming industries.
Now Holyrood ministers have made positive noises in response to the proposals and pledged to do their part to help tackle the scourge of joblessness.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We look forward to hearing any further details from the UK Government on any proposed jobs summit.
“The employment position in Dundee is challenging but improved last year, with unemployment in the city falling by 20%.
“The Scottish Government will continue to do all we can to help more people into work, including through the Scottish Employability Forum (SEF), which provides an opportunity for all parts of government to come together with key stakeholders to address unemployment.”
The SEF is chaired jointly by the UK Government through the Secretary of State for Scotland the Scottish Government and local government.
Dundee’s unemployment rate fell over the year, from 11.5% in 2013 to 9.2% in 2014, although recent figures still showed the city had the fourth-lowest employment rate in the UK and the worst in Scotland.
Meanwhile, Lord Dunlop has revealed that a new campaign will be launched by the UK Government later in the year, promoting the value of Scottish exports.
It will mirror the GREAT campaign, that UK ministers set up in the wake of the 2012 Olympics and which Lord Dunlop said has generated more than £1 billion for the economy.
He added: “The key is breaking down barriers so people who are asking ‘where can I find new markets’ can get the help they need very, very quickly because these are fast moving companies.
“If they have never exported before and immediately encounter barriers they are going to be switched off, but if they have got access to the support and knowhow they need then they are going to be able to crack into new markets.”