Angela Constance defends £9 million unemployment funding

• Funding given to six local authorities as part of Scottish Governments Youth Employment Strategy

• Angela Constance questioned over allocation of funds

• Six council areas given funding were in top 10 for worst youth unemployment

The funding was distributed to six local authorities under the Scottish Government’s £30 million Youth Employment Strategy.

Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and East Ayrshire were the most challenging areas for youth unemployment, Constance said.

The minister was questioned by Holyrood’s Finance Committee about the allocation of the money.

Conservative MSP Gavin Brown asked her: “Why was the decision taken for £9 million to go to local authorities only? It is just not clear to me at all what you are hoping to get out of that.

“I’ve not been able to find evidence of any tracking of what that money is actually going to do.”

Ms Constance said the six council areas were in the top 10 for the worst youth unemployment in previous years.

“My officials have been in close dialogue with these six local authorities from when the announcement was made, and you’ll appreciate that it is important to get money out there for this year.”

Mr Brown asked: “Would it be fair to say that the announcement was made and the money was awarded before you had found out what they were going to do with it?”

She told the committee that the local authorities are required to tell the Government how they plan to spend the money, which is expected to support employment and entrepreneurship, and report back on their progress.

“It is to assist areas with the most acute need, and in that regard I think 6,500 young people claiming unemployment benefit between the ages of 16 and 24 in Glasgow speaks for itself. And we’re confident that the local authorities, in partnership with the Government, will utilise every penny wisely,” Ms Constance said.