Renfrewshire’s council leader has called on the Scottish Government to make good on its promises after news the area is set to see further job losses.
Last month, after company Pernod-Ricard announced it would close its Chivas plant in Paisley, the First Minister met Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan and committed to the creation of a multi-agency task-force to help keep jobs in the area.
Despite her assurance it was revealed only days later that Scottish Government ministers had approved plans for their own enterprise agency to close its office in Paisley.
Now engineering firm Doosan Babcock has initiated a statutory consultation period, with reports suggesting around 270 jobs are directly threatened by plans to close its manufacturing and assembly site in Renfrew’s Porterfield Road.
Council Leader Macmillan said: “When we met in Paisley days after the Chivas announcement the First Minister assured me she would help us to keep jobs in Renfrewshire. I hope her government will live up to its commitment and make good on its promises.
“It’s crucial they bring forward plans for the task-force and appoint a senior cabinet minister to chair it, serve as a direct contact and secure the resources that are so desperately needed by the people of this area.
“We need more than warm words and sympathy from the Scottish Government – we need action.”
He continued: “The Scottish Government has £800m more to spend after the autumn statement and it should allocate a budget to protect jobs and stop these losses.
“We need further investment to help build the infrastructure that will incentivise local firms to grow their workforce and attract new companies into Renfrewshire.
“Renfrewshire Council is determined to regenerate our economy and we are working to create jobs for local people through ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre and our bid for UK City of Culture.
“We are developing a number of dramatic initiatives that have the potential to transform the local economy for the better.
“I am absolutely certain this is a great place to do business, but we need the Scottish Government to make good on its promises and help prevent jobs leaving Renfrewshire.”
Around 800 people work for Doosan Babcock in Renfrewshire. It already shed around 200 jobs last year.
Council Leader Macmillan is urging executives to discuss their concerns and work with the authority to protect as many jobs as possible.
He said: “It is incredibly disappointing to hear Doosan Babcock intends to cut jobs and that no-one from the company made us aware of their plans.
“I’m calling for an urgent meeting with senior managers and the unions to make sure that staff are given the assistance they need.
“As a council we are ready to offer whatever help we can to protect jobs and will of course be working with all agencies to mitigate the impact of the firm’s decision.
“Doosan Babcock has enjoyed tremendous support from its workforce in Renfrewshire and the company has a duty towards these employees and their families.”