Government must help those affected by job losses

11.49.35am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Oct 2008

Liberal Democrat MSP for Central Scotland Hugh O’Donnell has urged the Scottish Government to help those affected by job losses at the Freescale microchip factory.

Freescale have announced that 800 jobs are to be lost in East Kilbride as the result of the closure of their local factory. In the last six month there have been upwards of 2000 jobs losses in Lanarkshire and East Kilbride.

Commenting, Mr O’Donnell said:

“The announcement of a further 800 job losses in Central Scotland is a real blow for the local area and the wider Scottish economy.

“I have previously written to the Minster for Enterprise urging him to put in place a Task Force to help those affected by job losses in Central Scotland. The Minister's reply was that all the usual mechanisms were in place and that a Task Force was not required. Well, drastic times call for drastic measures.

“In the context of rising unemployment figures, I urge the Scottish Government to act now to reassure families and individuals that it is doing all it can to help those affected by today’s announcement and to prevent further job losses in Central Scotland.”