Festival director Sally Dunsmore said she was "delighted" to be "welcoming so many international authors".

BBC: Oxford Literary Festival 2013 begins

But Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, of the National Association of Residential Home Inspectors (NARHI), says there are now more than 5, 000 of them.

BBC: Even the smallest property now needs a Hip

Wendy Dunsmore of Unite the union said she expected most of the job cuts in Scotland to fall in back office operations rather than insurance.

BBC: Lloyds cuts 1,000 Scottish posts