Holyrood urged to form 'taskforce' to protect M&Co workers after administrators called in
West of Scotland MSP Katy Clark is calling on the Scottish Government to step in a protect workers during the cost of living crisis.
Last updated 4th Jan 2023
The Scottish Government is being urged to step in to protect jobs after high street retailers M&Co called in administrators last month.
M&Co announced in December they had called in financial advisory firm Teneo as administrators.
The Scottish Fashion outlet employs more than 1900 staff across 170 stores in the UK and has been a mainstay on high streets since it was founded in Paisley in 1961.
There are six stores in the Greater Glasgow area and five in Ayrshire.
West of Scotland MSP Katy Clark is calling on Holyrood chiefs to launch a ‘ministerial task force’ to protect the jobs under threat at the Scottish Fashion retailer’s stores.
She says it’s not only important to protect workers during the current cost of living crisis, but another major retailer closing would be a further blow to declining high streets in Scotland.
She said: “We need action from the Scottish Government, which is why I have written to them, asking them to get involved. First of all, to see if we could stop the closures, if that’s possible, but also make sure we put the support packages in place for the workers involved, and also to make sure we don’t have any more gaps in our high streets.
“The closure of stores across the country would have a disproportionate affect locally, and we really need government getting involved. Our high streets have already had so many shops close already so we need to find a solution for this major problem for those whose jobs are at risk.”
“I’ve written to the Scottish Government asking that they co-ordinate an action plan, but I haven’t heard back from the yet.”
“In the meantime, I would ask for those directly affected, either directly through their jobs or if they have concerns for their own high street to please get in touch with me.”
Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “This will continue to be a difficult time for the company’s staff, their families and the local areas affected.
“The people affected by this development are the immediate priority and the Scottish Government will continue to do everything in its power to help those affected through its initiative for responding to redundancy situations, Partnership Action for Continuing Employment.”