This is the previous Coatbridge & Chryston constituency with the addition of five wards from the old Hamilton North & Bellshill constituency. The constituency lies to the east and north east of Glasgow and has been extended southwards with the addition of five solidly Labour wards. The seat is on the priority list for enterprise and development aid and while, like most central belt constituencies, it has suffered from the decline in heavy industry, the area is showing distinct signs of revival. There is a range of successful small businesses, some located at Strathclyde Business Park, once the thriving Caterpillar tractor factory. The town of Bellshill has had a recent spurt in the number of home owners - so much so that it topped a Bank of Scotland survey at Christmas 2004 with the highest level of house price increases anywhere the UK - up by an average of 70%.
