Gordon Banks

Local MP Gordon Banks has stepped up his campaign to retain Waterwatch Scotland’s base in Alloa along with the 30 jobs that come with it.

Mr Banks spoke today in Cabinet Office question time where he questioned the Minister Frances Maude MP about his plans to abolish similar non-departmental bodies in England which would lead to the loss of jobs across the UK.  The UK Government plan to abolish Consumer Focus, the body which was proposed to consume Waterwatch Scotland therefore leaving much doubt about where the 30 jobs at Waterwatch will go. 

Both Mr Banks and Labour colleague Dr Richard Simpson MSP have consistently opposed plans by the SNP Government to abolition the agency and in March 2010 an amendment to save the agency was defeated by the votes of SNP MSPs, including local MSP Keith Brown.

Mr Banks said –  

“The SNP Government’s decision to close Waterwatch in Alloa will have devastating consequences for the local community and now we see the UK Government undertaking a similar exercise which will harm local communities across the entire length and breadth of the UK.  We now have no clue what will happen to Waterwatch Scotland after the UK government’s decisions to abolish Consumer Focus and I fear for the future of all the staff in Alloa.”

“Our local communities will have only tough times ahead when public sector jobs are lost as a result of the coalition government’s cuts which are too fast and too deep.  My colleague Richard Simpson and I will be standing up for those jobs and it is deeply disturbing that Keith Brown does not see the value of keeping these jobs in Alloa.” 

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Dr Richard Simpson said

“This young agency achieved extremely high levels of satisfaction in those who used its service, achieving change where it was needed.  Part of the service was to have been taken over by Consumer Focus Scotland which is now to be abolished. The SNP government enabled by the vote of the local member Keith Brown is making a fine mess of an effective service.”