Dundee SNP

UK GOVERNMENT HAS ‘DEEP BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY’

SNP Treasury spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP, has today (Wednesday) written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer expressing his concern over the shedding of 4500 jobs by RBS and seeking answers to the many questions raised by this development.

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

“It is absolutely imperative that the impact of any job losses is minimised as far as possible.

“It is particularly distasteful that the axe is likely to fall on those who built the bank’s success – and not those responsible for its failure. The fact is, the UK Government now owns the majority of shares in RBS and has a deep burden responsibility to the staff as a result.

“Very real concerns exist over practicalities and that is why I have written to the Chancellor seeking clarification on how many of these jobs will be lost in Scotland and what role, if any, UKFI will play.

“The Chancellor must answer questions over how the UK Government will reconcile its role as majority shareholder with its welfare responsibilities as a government.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has committed to sending a PACE team to assist those who may lose their jobs. I am seeking assurances that the UK Government stands similarly ready to help.”

EVERYTHING MUST BE DONE TO LIMIT IMPACT ON SCOTLAND

SNP politicians, Stewart Hosie and Shirley-Anne Somerville, have expressed concern over reports that RBS are to shed 4500 jobs in the UK.

Commenting, SNP Treasury Spokesperson, Stewart Hosie MP said:

“These are the inevitable consequences of decisions taken by RBS.

“Looming job losses are concerning and never more so than in the teeth of a recession.

“RBS said in a statement that they will seek to offer new jobs and to use only voluntary redundancy. This is welcome but there must be real constructive discussion with unions and across the sector through the financial sector jobs taskforce to minimise the impact of these losses.”

Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, whose region includes the RBS Headquarters on the outskirts of Edinburgh where the RBS Group Manufacturing hub is based, added:

“Today’s announcement will be devastating for those working at RBS and will cause great concern across the city as we wait to find out where the job losses will take place.

“After RBS initially said only 2500 jobs would go, these figures are a dramatic increase.

“I have already contacted the Scottish Government and I am confident SNP Ministers will give every support they can to those who now face redundancy.

“We have enormous talent in Edinburgh and with new entrants like Tesco Finance basing themselves in the city it is vital that we do everything we can to ensure Edinburgh and its residents are able to recover strongly from events at RBS.”

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick today commented on the announcement of NCR closing its manufacturing in Dundee.

Speaking outside the factory, Mr FitzPatrick said:

“This is heartbreaking news. It is a tragic loss to Dundee’s manufacturing sector.

“It is the end of an era. I am deeply saddened for the workers and their families.

“However I am pleased that the R&D operation remains in Dundee but we must be constantly vigilant to protect these jobs.

“We are arranging an urgent meeting with management to identify how this has happened and ask what might yet be done.

Also commenting Stewart Hosie MP said: “Many of my constituents work at the factory and my thoughts are with the families affected. We must all work together to get the best outcome for those affected and to protect the jobs remaining at discovery”

Shona Robison MSP added: “My thoughts are with all the families affected by this devastating news. I want to know what had led to this happening and what support will be available to those losing their jobs. We will be meeting managers to discuss these matters.”