First is the Pirelli factory news. The factory are one of Carlisle's main employers, and the downturn in car sales hit them quite badly. Falling demand for tyres. Redundancies. Layoffs. Shorter working week.
It's easy to criticise a Government who have been in the spotlight over many issues, and whose leader might not have the charisma of his predecessor, but Gordon Brown's decision to extend the car scrappage scheme is good news for all those who work in the car industry and associated businesses. Good for the car industry overall, and good news for all those who work in the Carlisle Pirelli factory.