‘Strong’ interest in homes

A PROPERTY firm has said it handed over 23 properties and secured 52 reservations during lockdown, including at its development in Perth.

In a bid to make sure no one was left homeless during the crisis, Urban Union handed out key safes, hosted video demonstrations and conducted handovers via FaceTime.

Managing director Neil McKay said: “Coupled with the raising of the land and buildings transaction tax threshold for residential properties, it’s a promising sign for the industry that we have continued to see strong interest from new homebuyers.

“Despite the economic uncertainty and temporary hold on the property market, the extra time we’ve been spending at home has given many people the opportunity to reflect on what they want from their living spaces.

“This has been reflected in the interest we have received over the last few months.”

YOUTH unemployment figures rose dramatically last month in the city.

New data for Dundee East gathered by the BBC reveals the number of benefits claimants went from one in 20 young people in March to more than one in 10 last month alone.

There were 3,245 claimants aged over 16 in the constituency last month, while claimants aged 18 to 24 years accounted for 770 cases.

The total population of people aged 18-24 in Dundee East is 6,957, representing a rise from 6% to 11% unemployment in that age group.

Stewart Hosie MP, who represents the area, said: “In line with Scotland and the rest of the UK youth unemployment has been rising very quickly during the crisis. In one sense that’s not surprising.”

The rise has been attributed to a lack of jobs in tourism and hospitality, which have been badly hit by the pandemic.

Mr Hosie added: “The good news is many people had their salaries furloughed but as we come out of lockdown it is vital every sector, especially the hospitality industry