PRESS RELEASE

November 4th, 2008

MSP welcomes IBM cash

Duncan McNeil MSP has welcomed a £1 million public grant for research and development for local computer giants IBM.

He believes the funding underlines just how important the firm is to Inverclyde, employing nearly 2,000 people in Greenock.

But while he voiced his appreciation at the IBM money, Mr McNeil called for more efforts to be made to keep another of the area's biggest employers with its boundaries - Aulds.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “While the nature of work there has changed, IBM is very important to us because of the number of people it still employs from the community.

“Inverclyde is an area that has persistently had problems with high levels of unemploymentment and was identified by the previous Scottish Executive as a priority.

“So I welcome any funding and support that will help create and retain jobs here in Inverclyde .

“I just hope that this support to keep jobs and skills in this area will be continued in a consistent way – previous steps which in effect subsidise Aulds move outwith of the area would run contrary to that approach.

"A clear position on the future of Aulds is needed - I would hope the minister would build on today's announcement by pulling out all the stops to ensure that Aulds stays in this area.”

ENDS