Comhairle Calls For Scottish Government Intervention on Talk Talk

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has called on the Scottish Government to intervene in the Talk Talk proposals for the transfer of its Stornoway operation to Manchester.

The Comhairle has written to Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, stating “Given the fragility of the local economy and the detrimental impacts that these losses will have are there any additional and specific supports that the Scottish Government can offer?”

Talk Talk has confirmed that they are transferring their Stornoway operation to Manchester with the loss or transfer of 60 jobs.

Cllr Donald Crichton, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Committee, said: “This is a significant blow to the economy of the Western Isles. Our immediate thoughts are with the employees of the company and their families and we will play whatever role we can in supporting them. We anticipate that the Comhairle, together with our partners in SDS and HIE, will be implementing PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) procedures. However I also believe that the Scottish Government can and should play an active role and do what they can by way of supporting the employees and I am sure all the local agencies would be pleased to work together with the Government and the company”.

The Comhairle has emphasised that in a city location such as Glasgow the equivalent scale of job losses would be more than 3,000, resulting in a major and significant impact on the local economy.