Press release: Prime Minister urged to step in over McVitie's job loss threat

An SNP MP has urged the Prime Minister to step in and engage with the owners of the McVitie's factory in Glasgow's East end which is facing closure - threatening around 470 local jobs.

At PMQs today, David Linden MP pressed Boris Johnson to intervene on what he described as an "economic armageddon" on an already "fragile local economy".

The factory's owner, Pladis Global, has proposed that the Tollcross factory would close in the second half of 2022, with production moving to different parts of the UK.

Trade unions have said the closure of the factory - which has operated in the city for around 100 years - would be "devastating" and "the lowest of the low" following the pandemic.

Commenting, the MP for Glasgow East said:

"The decision to close such an historic and vital workplace in Glasgow's East End is an economic armageddon to what is already a fragile local economy.

"Throughout the pandemic, Pladis Global’s employees worked at this factory as key workers whilst much of the country safely worked from home.

"Each and every day, they put themselves at risk to generate record-breaking profits for the company. Therefore, the decision to launch the consultation to close the factory is a real kick in the teeth to every one of them.

"Since 2017, I have been in regular contact with Pladis surrounding the challenges they face as a business, so I was delighted to hear that they seemed to have finally turned a corner with record-breaking profits this year. Therefore, this decision is shameful and must be reconsidered.

"The campaign to save this factory has only just begun, and I am urging the Prime Minister to support this initiative."