MSP Mackay and MP Callaghan write to protect workers East Dunbartonshire SNP politicians Rona Mackay and Amy Callaghan has said the Tory government must perform an urgent U-turn over its reckless decision to withdraw the Job Retention Scheme. The move comes after more companies in East Dunbartonshire voiced fears of redundancies after the furlough scheme ends next month. Bakery chain Greggs, which has 25,000 workers across Scotland and the UK, is the latest company to indicate it may have to cut staff hours or jobs when the scheme ends, warning "with the Job Retention Scheme planned to end in October we are taking steps to ensure that our employment costs reflect the estimated level of demand from November onwards."
As a result, both politicians have written to Greggs Chief Executive, Roger Whiteside OBE, to ask for further clarity regarding the workers in locations across East Dunbartonshire, including at the Milngavie, Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch outlets.
It comes as a new survey revealed four in ten (42%) small and medium businesses think they will have a smaller workforce in December than they did in September, and a quarter think they might go out of business next year if there is a second wave of Covid-19.
Commenting, Rona Mackay MSP and Amy Callaghan MP said:
"The devastating impact of the UK government's decision to withdraw support for jobs in the middle of a pandemic is starting to hit home, and add to growing fears of job losses in East Dunbartonshire.
"Boris Johnson was repeatedly warned that thousands of people could lose their jobs unnecessarily as a result of Tory cuts - and those warnings are now starting to become reality.
"The Tory government must perform an urgent U-turn, reinstate a full job protection scheme, and devolve financial powers to the Scottish Parliament so we can protect our economy,
"We shouldn't have to wait for Westminster’s permission to act while the livelihoods of people in our constituency are on the line. That is precisely why we have voiced our concerns directly to Greggs themselves, looking to offer assurance, clarity and protection for their workers within East Dunbartonshire.
