This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6739007.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Scotland is 'worst small country' | Scotland is 'worst small country' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Scotland is the worst performing small country in Western Europe, according to a report by business leaders. | Scotland is the worst performing small country in Western Europe, according to a report by business leaders. |
| The Federation of Small Businesses' annual Index of Wealth compared 10 countries on economic performance, employment rates, health and education. | |
| Scotland's life expectancy rate was a major factor in it coming bottom. | Scotland's life expectancy rate was a major factor in it coming bottom. |
| FSB Scotland said the new SNP government had its work cut out to improve the nation, but ministers said Scotland "can and will do better". | |
| Scotland also fell by one place, to 17th, in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's table of the world's 24 most developed countries. | |
| We are already far down the table of comparator countries, and on every count we are travelling in the wrong direction Andy WilloxFSB Scotland policy convener | |
| The FSB Scotland index examined countries with fewer than nine million people, including Norway, Iceland and the Republic of Ireland. | |
| The report was written by John McLaren, honorary research fellow at the University of Glasgow. | The report was written by John McLaren, honorary research fellow at the University of Glasgow. |
| He has previously worked as a special adviser to former first ministers Donald Dewar and Henry McLeish as well as an economic adviser to the treasury and Scottish Office. | He has previously worked as a special adviser to former first ministers Donald Dewar and Henry McLeish as well as an economic adviser to the treasury and Scottish Office. |
| FSB Scotland policy convener Andy Willox said: "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." | |
| 'Wrong direction' | |
| Despite being above average on three of the four indicators, life expectancy in Scotland remains well below the OECD average. | |
| "We are already far down the table of comparator countries, and on every count we are travelling in the wrong direction," Mr Willox added. | "We are already far down the table of comparator countries, and on every count we are travelling in the wrong direction," Mr Willox added. |
| "Health, education, the employment rate and economic performance are all interlinked. | "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." | "Improvements in health or education should help businesses recruit and retain healthy and highly skilled staff, thus boosting productivity and ultimately economic growth." |
| This government is determined that Scotland can and will do better Scottish Executive spokeswoman | This government is determined that Scotland can and will do better Scottish Executive spokeswoman |
| The index showed Glasgow City is the worst performing local authority area in Scotland, with the poorest record in three of the four indicators: mortality, education and employment | The index showed Glasgow City is the worst performing local authority area in Scotland, with the poorest record in three of the four indicators: mortality, education and employment |
| Mr Willox added: "That Glasgow is the worst performing part of Scotland on all but one of the indicators is deeply troubling." | Mr Willox added: "That Glasgow is the worst performing part of Scotland on all but one of the indicators is deeply troubling." |
| A Scottish government spokeswoman said the country's "disappointing" performance supports the new SNP administration's case for making the Scottish economy more "dynamic and competitive". | A Scottish government spokeswoman said the country's "disappointing" performance supports the new SNP administration's case for making the Scottish economy more "dynamic and competitive". |
| She added: "This government is determined that Scotland can and will do better. | She added: "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." | "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." |
| She added that the good performance of countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Norway and Iceland demonstrated what Scotland should aspire to. | She added that the good performance of countries such as the Republic of Ireland, Norway and Iceland demonstrated what Scotland should aspire to. |
| "These countries form an 'arc of prosperity' around Scotland and shows what we can achieve," she said. | "These countries form an 'arc of prosperity' around Scotland and shows what we can achieve," she said. |