Concern over jobless rise

EAST Lothian Labour MP Fiona O'Donnell has voiced concern after figures revealed the area had seen one of the steepest rises in long-term unemployment in Scotland.

The number out of work for 12 months or more in East Lothian has leapt by 420 per cent in the last two-and-a-half years.

Ms O'Donnell said: "I am worried about the impact of further cuts to public spending and the threat of more public-sector redundancies."