Sturgeon: ‘We will do everything we can’ to help

Nicola Sturgeon says her government “will do everything we can” to save jobs in Dundee following this week’s “devastating” announcement from Michelin.

The owners have cited falling demand for smaller tyres and competition from abroad for the decision to shut the Baldovie plant by 2020.

Ms Sturgeon told First Minister’s Questions: “The news this week has clearly been devastating for the 845 workers at Michelin and for their families and of course for the wider community in Dundee.

“My thoughts are with all of them at this time.

“Let me be very clear as (finance secretary) Derek Mackay said in this chamber earlier in the week, that we will do everything we can to find a sustainable future for this plant.

“Our absolute priority is to pursue options for the site to continue with commercial production and we will leave no stone unturned in working with Michelin, with Dundee Council and with other partners to secure a positive future for the plant, for its workers and for the wider community and I hope we have the support of all sides of the chamber.”

Ms Sturgeon said ministers will “continue to look at all reasonable suggestions for additional funding from the Scottish Government”.

Shona Robison, the Dundee East MSP, earlier paid tribute to the Michelin workforce and local management for “showing such resilience, tenacity and flexibility” amid the challenges.

Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, told Holyrood that Michelin workers must get a redundancy deal that is at least as good as the package received by staff at Ballymena, the Northern Irish factory which closed this year.

The SNP leader agreed but said the focus for now must be on protecting jobs.

Nicola Sturgeon has vowed to support Michelin workers.