Sturgeon ‘bitterly disappointed’ by decision to cut 252 jobs in city

Nicola Sturgeon has said she is “bitterly disappointed” by the decision to axe jobs in Dundee.

Staff at the call centre in West Marketgait were told by Lloyds Banking Group on Tuesday that 252 jobs would be cut by Christmas.

The First Minister pledged her government would do all they can to help those affected find work. She then faced calls from Labour to do more to “attract and protect” jobs in the city.

Speaking on a visit to the Michelin factory in Dundee, the SNP leader said: “That announcement is bitterly disappointing and my thoughts are with those who are employed there and whose jobs are now at risk.

“The Scottish Government will be seeking to liaise closely with the company to try to minimise the impact, but also making sure our PACE initiative, which supports workers facing redundancy, is fully deployed to provide as much support as we can to help people into alternative employment.”

Richard McCready, who is Labour’s city development spokesman in Dundee, called for a “change of heart” from Lloyds Banking Group.

He added: “Whilst the Scottish Government’s intervention at Michelin announced today is very welcome, we need the Scottish Government to help Dundee attract and protect more jobs for Dundee. I will be looking for a real commitment to deliver jobs to Dundee from the Scottish Government.”

Both Lloyds Banking Group and Bank of Scotland staff are affected by the cuts at the call centre, which is owned by LBG. Workers are to be given the chance to take up one of 225 jobs at their Dunfermline site.

The Scottish Government will be seeking to liaise closely with the company to try to minimise the impact. FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON