John Swinney urged to save jobs of 60 disabled workers at Falkirk factory

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First Minister John Swinney is facing mounting pressure from all political parties urging him to step in and save the jobs of 60 disabled workers.

Haven Products, based in Larbert, Falkirk, say its staff are likely to be made redundant if the Scottish Government does not renew two long-standing contracts with Haven – the production of NHS nurses' uniforms and the digital archiving of Scottish Government documents.

MSPs from different parties – including his own SNP colleagues – have come together to back a campaign to save the jobs.

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Falkirk West and East MSPs, Michael Matheson and Michelle Thomson, have written to Scottish Government cabinet ministers about the threat to the jobs of disabled workers at the Larbert factory.

Richard Leonard MSP on a recent visit to Haven and the plaque unveiled by John Swinney in 2015 at the official opening. Pic: ContributedRichard Leonard MSP on a recent visit to Haven and the plaque unveiled by John Swinney in 2015 at the official opening. Pic: Contributed
Richard Leonard MSP on a recent visit to Haven and the plaque unveiled by John Swinney in 2015 at the official opening. Pic: Contributed

Since news of the jobs threat broke, Labour, Conservative, and Green MSPs and an MP have visited Haven Products to show their support for the workers.

Labour MSPs Richard Leonard, Monica Lennon and MP Brian Leishman; Conservative MSPs Stephen Kerr and Graham Simpson and Scottish Green Party MSP Gillian Mackay have been the factory to give their backing to the campaign to save the jobs.

Stephen Kerr has also contacted all local MSPs to build a united front in defence of the workers and the campaign to save these jobs. The majority of MSPs have indicated they agree with this strategy.

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He said: “I would like to arrange a meeting with the Minister for Employment and Investment to lay out my concerns and explore a resolution. I believe we will most likely find resolution if we work together.”

Karen Motherwell head of Haven Products is battling to save the jobs of its workers. Pic: ContributedKaren Motherwell head of Haven Products is battling to save the jobs of its workers. Pic: Contributed
Karen Motherwell head of Haven Products is battling to save the jobs of its workers. Pic: Contributed

Labour MSP Richard Leonard emphasised the importance of Haven Products to the community and economy, pointing to a plaque commemorating the factory's opening in 2015 by then-Deputy First Minister John Swinney. “Nine years on, he should use his power as First Minister to step in and save these jobs,” Mr Leonard said.

The urgency of the situation has also been highlighted by Jeremy Balfour and Pam Duncan-Glancy, convener and deputy convener of the Scottish Parliament's Cross-Party Group on Disability, who have written to Scottish Government ministers urging them to prevent what they describe as a potentially “devastating circumstance where disabled people are left unemployed”.

Karen Motherwell, head of Haven Products, stressed the severe impact the loss of these contracts would have on the workers. She said: “Almost all our staff are either disadvantaged or vulnerable and unless the Scottish Government move to have the contracts re-instated, this will have a devastating effect on our disabled workers.

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“We really need to save these jobs and we've had a huge amount of support from politicians and the local community in our campaign to keep the factory open,” said Ms Motherwell.

Workers like Calum Stewart are worried for their jobs at Haven Products. Pic: ContributedWorkers like Calum Stewart are worried for their jobs at Haven Products. Pic: Contributed
Workers like Calum Stewart are worried for their jobs at Haven Products. Pic: Contributed

“It seems counter-productive to the economy that not continuing with these contracts would mean our staff losing their jobs and having to claim social security benefits.

“As a charity, we have always appreciated and applauded the Scottish Government's commitment to helping people with a disability into employment, but by not renewing these contracts, disabled people will be forced out of work,” she added.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Haven Products Ltd have done so much to provide employment for disabled and disadvantaged adults in Scotland.

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“Scottish Enterprise have offered the firm advice and support with their current and future business model, and we strongly encourage Haven to engage with them.

“All new contracts will be considered carefully, in line with subsidy control measures, to ensure value for money for taxpayers in Scotland.”

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