Wind turbine jobs: 'Leith would be back at heart of major industry'

AFTER months of bad economic news, it is nice to be talking once again about new businesses and jobs being created.

Let's be clear – there's a lot to be done before Leith becomes a central hub in Britain's brave new world of renewable energy creation.

But if plans come to fruition to make it a major site for the manufacture of off-shore wind turbines then it could finally spark the complete regeneration of the port.

About 700 jobs are being suggested – a massive number which would be a serious boost to the local employment market. But it could rise even further, into thousands of posts.

In fact, no-one really knows the true potential of this emerging sector. The SNP government certainly thinks Scotland can become a leader in what could be a massive global market.

But even the current plans, for a 7 billion windfarm in the Firth of Forth plus others off the Moray Forth and the east coast of England, suggest there is money to be made and jobs to be created for generations to come.

That's probably the most encouraging aspect of all: it may be five years before work starts on the first turbine, but if this latent industry takes off then it could be an employer for hundreds of years.

All of which would put Leith back where it belongs – back at the heart of a major industry that helps Edinburgh and all of Scotland prosper.

Vicious circle of cuts

AS THE council continued to look for ways to make inroads into its 90 million budget shortfall, it was inevitable that grants to community groups would come under intense scrutiny.

As we detail today, some now face having their funds cut or even stopped, which is a tragedy for organisations that provide valuable grassroots services in some of the city's most deprived areas.

The trouble with cutting grants to such organisations is that it dilutes the support being offered in communities by the voluntary sector.

If that support goes, it is inevitable that the council will find more individuals asking it for help – sometimes on a statutory basis. This, in turn, could defeat the purpose of the cost-cutting by pushing up the outlays forced on the local authority.

The current proposals are just the recommendations of council officials who have been given targets to meet. It is to be hoped that by the time the budgetary process is complete, ways will have been found to spare many of these vital groups.