I read this article with total disgust and cannot understand how this situation is happening with all the promises being made through the energy coast and N.M.P and N.D.A s promises regarding their socio-economic plans for West Cumbria.
N.M.P. comprises of three multinational companies who if had any real commitment to the West Cumbrian economy could help improve these figures. But their commitment is more around making sure that their parent Companies get more than their fair share of multi million pound contracts on Sellafield site.
We have seen examples of both the N.D.A and N.M.Ps Socio-economic commitments with the closure of Summer Grove and Sellafield visitors’ centre which resulted in the loss of jobs. We also all have seen the multimillion pound contract that was awarded to Washington group at Drigg which was then sent to Sweden which with a little investment could have been undertaken in West Cumbria and the only thing we did get is the waste associated with this contract
If we are waiting for the N.D.A. or N.M.P. to deliver what they promised then we will have a long wait and all of us in the West Cumbrian Community need to fight for the future of our community and make these organisations accountable and deliver a meaningful socio economic package with real benefits for our community

Why would our youngsters stick in at school or move away for a decent wage when our councillors can have well paid part time positions with no qualifications or any relevant previous experience needed?

Jobs need industry, and one thing Copland is without is industry. The skilled may be catered for by Sellafield but a large proportion of the population need unskilled and semi-skilled work. Nursery and Care Homes may provide a few jobs but there is verey little for the unemployed young male population. Young people moving away for higher education will find work in other parts of the country when they have qualified but the majority of young people are left behind to exist on welfare or low paid work. Perhaps the nuclear monies used to build rugby grounds would be better spent widening peoples horizons and supporting the young unemployed to move south.

Any young person with any education (not easy in Whitehaven I know) knows the jobs are elsewhere in the country. Didn't do me any harm to move away and yes, I came back in the end.

Must be soul destroying for them. You've got to question the ludicrousy behind the governments plan of making people work longer. When common sense says if the retirement age was left at 60, so many more jobs would be made available for younger people looking for work.