Gordon Banks

Gordon Banks MP today spoke out against the SNP Government’s plans to scrap Waterwatch Scotland who are based in Alloa.

An amendment to the Public Services Reform Bill has been tabled by the Scottish Government to close Waterwatch Scotland and have their work absorbed into the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman and Consumer Focus Scotland. This will be voted on next week in Holyrood.

Speaking on this issue Gordon Banks said,

“This is devastating news for Alloa. Waterwatch employ around 30 people in the area and are the only national public sector body to have its headquarters in Alloa, this is hugely important.

"Since 2005 this organisation has been a flagship operation and has been instrumental in reducing complaints in the industry significantly."

"This organisation is not funded by taxes but by a levy on the industry and a change to a tax payer funded system is unbelievable."

"As well as the direct jobs provided by Waterwatch, the organisation also commissions a range of services within the county which are also important in supporting local businesses. If Waterwatch disappears the income to local printers, hospitality providers and financial sectors also disappears."

"The abolition of Waterwatch with inferior services delivered by government funded bodies will be unacceptable. Indeed, if the Scottish Government is really saying that this is a money saving exercise perhaps they should evaluate whether Waterwatch could provide the same reduced service as the SPSO and Consumer Focus Scotland but cheaper."

"Assurances that employees would be relocated within the extended organisations appear to me to be hollow and would also mean that employees would have to travel to Glasgow or Edinburgh, which everyone understands is not always possible, so if Waterwatch Scotland goes, jobs will go."

"This is a time for local politicians to stand together and protect local jobs and I call on Keith Brown MSP to support the opposition amendments to this legislation that have already been tabled and vote against the Scottish Government’s plans to cut jobs in Clackmannanshire and stand up for the people he represents."

"Likewise I would call on all potential candidates for Ochil and South Perthshire in the General Election to join with me in condemning the plans of the SNP government."

"To anything less will be shameful.”