Meeting of the Parliament 27 April 2017
Obviously, I was concerned to learn that Diageo has begun a consultation with the staff over potential job losses at its sites in Leven and Shieldhall, and I know that this will be an extremely anxious time for the company’s employees and their families. Keith Brown has already arranged to meet Diageo, and officials in Scottish Enterprise are already fully engaged with the company. We will do all that we can to explore all possible options for supporting the business and protecting jobs in Scotland.
Although the families and individuals who are affected by this situation also have the right to expect a similar response from the United Kingdom Government, it is troubling that the main union, the GMB, appears to have raised concerns about the impact of Brexit on these jobs and has got very little response from the UK Government. This is yet another example of the threat that Brexit poses to Scotland—what Ruth Davidson used to tell us but does not any longer, but what I still believe and what examples such as this one, sadly, illustrate. However, we will continue to do everything possible to support the workers at Diageo.