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/glasgow_and_west/6978782.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Millionaire bids to help jobless Millionaire bids to help jobless
(about 2 hours later)
One of Scotland's richest men is to lead a new group which aims to cut unemployment in Glasgow. One of Scotland's richest men has become the head of a new group which aims to cut unemployment in Glasgow.
Jim McColl will chair Glasgow Works, which hopes to get 17,200 people off benefits and into work or training by 2010. Jim McColl has been named chairman of Glasgow Works, which hopes to get 17,200 people off benefits and into work or training by 2010.
Mr McColl bought Glasgow-based Weir Pumps for £100m in May, a move that was credited with saving 600 jobs.Mr McColl bought Glasgow-based Weir Pumps for £100m in May, a move that was credited with saving 600 jobs.
Glasgow Works will comprise leaders from the worlds of business, health and enterprise. Glasgow Works comprises of leaders from the worlds of business, health and enterprise.
The group is officially launched on Wednesday.
Since 1995 Glasgow has enjoyed the fastest growth in jobs in the UK with more than 60,000 jobs created, resulting in 40,000 Glasgow residents finding employment.Since 1995 Glasgow has enjoyed the fastest growth in jobs in the UK with more than 60,000 jobs created, resulting in 40,000 Glasgow residents finding employment.
'Real contender'
However, the city continues to have lower average employment rates than the rest of Scotland, with the latest figures showing it has 98,950 claiming benefits, with 56,690 on incapacity benefit.However, the city continues to have lower average employment rates than the rest of Scotland, with the latest figures showing it has 98,950 claiming benefits, with 56,690 on incapacity benefit.
'Real contender'
Mr McColl, who began his career as an apprentice at Weir Pumps and is now worth an estimated £435m, said he believed unemployment was the key issue facing Glasgow.Mr McColl, who began his career as an apprentice at Weir Pumps and is now worth an estimated £435m, said he believed unemployment was the key issue facing Glasgow.
He added: "Glasgow has experienced massive economic growth in the last five years and is continuing to do so with projects such as the extension of the M74 and the development of the East End Regeneration Route.He added: "Glasgow has experienced massive economic growth in the last five years and is continuing to do so with projects such as the extension of the M74 and the development of the East End Regeneration Route.
"In addition, the city is a real contender to win its bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which would be an added bonus in terms of job creation for the city."In addition, the city is a real contender to win its bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, which would be an added bonus in terms of job creation for the city.
"With all the development activity taking place in Glasgow, we fully expect to hit our longer term target of 40,000 people off benefits and into work by 2010.""With all the development activity taking place in Glasgow, we fully expect to hit our longer term target of 40,000 people off benefits and into work by 2010."
Jim Coleman, deputy leader of the city's local authority added:Jim Coleman, deputy leader of the city's local authority added:
"Glasgow City Council is committed to working in partnership with the Glasgow Works partners to stop the on flow of people on to benefits and encourage and support as many people as possible in their journey back to work."Glasgow City Council is committed to working in partnership with the Glasgow Works partners to stop the on flow of people on to benefits and encourage and support as many people as possible in their journey back to work.
"The previous success of the Glasgow Welfare to Work Forum shows that this can and will be achieved for Glasgow.""The previous success of the Glasgow Welfare to Work Forum shows that this can and will be achieved for Glasgow."
The group will be funded with a share of the £32m UK-wide Deprived Area Fund (DAF), in addition to community regeneration funding and Workforce Plus from the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise.