Hawick job losses a "bitter blow" - Moore (Paisley Liberal Democrats)

Paisley Liberal Democrats <smcdonald21@ntlworld.com>

Hawick job losses a "bitter blow" - Moore

May 28, 2010 11:23 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Borders MP Michael Moore has described the loss of jobs at Peter Scott & Co in Hawick as a "bitter blow" to the town and to the Borders.

Mr Moore is in touch with the Administrators who have been appointed to run the company and has also spoken to senior representatives at Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland who are part of the team responding to the announcement.

Officials from Skills Development Scotland will be liaising with the Administrators to ensure that support and advice is provided to the workforce, which Mr Moore says must be done as a matter of urgency.

Commenting, he said:

"The challenges facing Peter Scott & Co have been one of the worst kept secrets in the Borders over the past year. But that does not diminish the bitter blow of this announcement.

"There are many issues to sort out and understand about the background to this collapse, but the first priority is to support the employees who are losing their jobs. I have spoken to some of them this morning and they are understandably devastated.

"I will be working hard with the local agencies to ensure that everyone gets the support they need. From my early discussions today it is clear that the agencies will be moving quickly to get on site. In the meantime, advice will be available at an already planned event in Jedburgh this coming Wednesday in the Town Hall from 1pm to 4.30pm.

"I am separately in touch with the Scottish Government to ensure they are doing everything possible in support of the workforce."