Glasgow City Council to subsidise armed forces veterans wages
Scotland's largest council is launching a scheme to help unemployed former armed forces personnel find a job.
Under the Veterans Employment Programme, Glasgow City Council will pay a wage subsidy to firms taking on jobless ex-forces men and women.
The council said it was "part of the most comprehensive package of support offered to veterans" in Britain.
Details of the scheme were announced at a economic conference aimed at helping Glasgow through the recession.
The programme will be available to help people who leave the services and veterans aged between 25 and 49.
The council is prepared to pay the first £7.20 of a veteran's hourly wage to help employers take them on - up to £6,500 a year.
The authority is aware of 89 veterans who are currently seeking work and a further 37 service personnel about to be made redundant.
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson said: "Our armed forces make immeasurable sacrifices on our behalf.
"They also have skills and experience that are marketable once they leave the forces - but it can be tough for veterans to re-adjust to civilian life.
"We are committed to helping Glasgow's veterans into employment but, rather than just offering warm words and encouragement, my council will offer a wage subsidy to employers who recognise and reward their skills."
Councillor Matheson said the authority believed "passionately that it is the right thing to do".