DIAGEO JOB CUTS ANNOUNCED AS BREXIT IMPACT HITS
Published date : 20 Apr 2017
MUNDELL’S “GROSS BETRAYAL” COSTING 100 SCOTTISH JOBS, SAY GMB UNION
Drinks giant Diageo has announced that it is proposing to cut up to 100 jobs at two sites in Scotland – with the GMB union blaming the uncertainty resulting from the Tory plans for a damaging hard Brexit as causing the decision.
The potential job losses will affect workers at Diageo sites in Leven and Shieldhall, and are an indication of the damage that the Tory Brexit plans are set to have on Scotland’s economy.
The GMB union has said that it warned Scottish Secretary David Mundell about the need to take action to protect Scotland’s drinks manufacturers against Brexit, but their inaction has been called a “gross betrayal”.
Commenting, SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth, who represents Leven, said:
“This announcement by Diageo is concerning and will cause great uncertainty for many people in our communities throughout Fife – and it is doubly concerning that these redundancies are reportedly down to the impact of Brexit.
“I would like to make clear to all constituents affected by this announcement that my office is happy to assist them in any way possible during the planned consultation period – and the Scottish Government will do all it can to support the workers facing redundancy.
“The suggestion by the GMB union that it had warned David Mundell over the need to take action to protect Scotland’s drinks manufacturers against Brexit long before this announcement is yet another sign that he is happy to support the Tories’ Brexit plans no matter the damage they will inflict on our communities and economy.
“It is clear that the Tories think they can do what they want to Scotland and get away with it – but people will not stand for their reckless gambling with Scottish jobs. The economic impact of the Tory hard Brexit is set to be severe, and the people of Scotland must be given a choice on whether they wish to take the country down a different path.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information, please contact Jenny Gilruth MSP on 01592 764815.
Jenny.Gilruth.MSP@parliament.scot
Local Reporters, East Fife Mail, Glenrothes Gazette, Courier (Fife)
