For immediate release:

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER ACTION GROUP IN RESPONSE TO CLARE HAUGHEY

The Scottish Government have committed to looking into the setting up of an Action Group to support the workers and local community after the devastating announcement that 2 Sisters is set to close its factory in Cambuslang.

During a Topical Question which Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey secured, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, the Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, agreed with the SNP politician’s suggestion to consider establishing an Action Group. As we reported in last week’s paper, such a group has been set up in Annan to support workers and the local community due to the proposed closure of a Young’s seafood site in the town.

Within their exchange, the Minister advised Clare Haughey that the Scottish Government will “pursue discussion with South Lanarkshire Council to see whether [they] can convene an Action Group”, in a move which the Rutherglen MSP warmly welcomed.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“Although I am still incredibly disappointed with 2 Sisters decision, I am at least heartened by the Scottish Government’s response. It was clear from the outset that the Scottish Government, its agencies, and Unite the Union were working tirelessly to save the factory from closure, however despite their best efforts, the company opted to close anyway.

“The workers and community deserve every effort to mitigate against the impact of the closure. I therefore welcome the government’s commitment to liaise with South Lanarkshire Council to discuss establishing an Action Group. If an Action Group is the best way forward, then it should be fully considered.

“My constituents can be assured that I will continue to explore every possible avenue that will best support the workers, community, and local economy.”

ENDS

NOTES:

The transcript of Clare Haughey MSP’s Topical Question can be found on the below link:

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11464&i=104122&c=2082084#ScotParlOR

Rutherglen Reformer article referred to – 18th April 2018, written by Murray Spooner.