Joani Reid MP said the decision to stay in EK marks the culmination of “months of determined effort, lobbying, and negotiations”.
East Kilbride’s MP and MSP have welcomed the UK Government’s decision to retain 1000 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) jobs in East Kilbride.
Lanarkshire MSPs accused Westminster of “abandoning” East Kilbride following the former Tory Government’s decision to relocate FCDO jobs to Glasgow with no prior consultation.
The UK Government had said that the FCDO was “growing its presence and number of staff in Scotland” and to widen their future talent pool, it was to relocate to a modern building in central Glasgow, confirming the UK Government’s long-term commitment to Scotland.
A government spokesperson confirmed today the move from East Kilbride to Glasgow has now been abandoned, saying: “We’ve been clear that this government will take the difficult decisions, prioritising critical projects and ensuring that every penny of taxpayer’s money goes to where it is most needed.
“We remain committed to maintaining our presence in Scotland, however, this move is no longer financially viable. We will continue to further Britain’s interests at home and abroad from our joint headquarters in Abercrombie House.
“In the immediate future we will be staying at Abercrombie House, where we are already implementing some of the agreed improvements to help make the site a better place to work.”
Joani Reid MP said the decision to stay in EK marks the culmination of “months of determined effort, lobbying, and negotiations”.
The Labour MP told us: “This is the culmination of a huge effort to secure these jobs. The Tories made the wrong decision when they said these jobs would move to Glasgow and ever since I was elected, I have made the case whenever I could that the new Labour government should reverse that decision and keep the jobs here.
“The retention of FCDO jobs in East Kilbride is not just a victory for the workforce, but for the entire town.”
Joani Reid MP raised the issue with government ministers and senior civil servants, highlighting the importance of these jobs to the local economy. Only yesterday she took to the floor of the Commons to press the case for keeping the jobs in East Kilbride.
READ MORE: Dead dog found ‘dumped’ in East Kilbride layby as SSPCA launch appeal
She added: “I am relieved for the town and the workforce that the right decision has been made by the UK Labour Government. The retention of UK Government jobs in East Kilbride is vital to maintaining a strong local economy, supporting businesses, and delivering on the Government’s growth mission. This security for East Kilbride has only been possible with a Labour MP and a Labour Government.”
Collette Stevenson MSP had consistently advocated for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to retain its presence in East Kilbride.
READ MORE: Glasgow ‘curry king’ to the stars to open new Lanarkshire restaurant with a European twist
She commented: “I am of course delighted that the decision to move over 1000 jobs from East Kilbride to Glasgow has been reversed. I have consistently called for the jobs to remain in East Kilbride.
“This decision however was only taken because the Labour Government cut the Foreign Aid budget by 40 per cent, which will have huge ramifications. When that decision was announced, I arranged a meeting with trade union officials and heard of their grave concerns over their ability to continue with existing aid operations, as well as their fear for job cuts and expansion plans.
“I wrote to David Lammy at the start of this week to again make the case for these jobs to remain in East Kilbride. I am glad common sense has prevailed. What the workforce need now are assurances that the Government will take their concerns seriously and work with them on what happens next, including their plans to expand.”
South Lanarkshire Council Leader Joe Fagan said: “This is very good news for East Kilbride, and I am grateful that the FCDO have reconsidered their move away from the town following the discussions the council and the town’s MP have had with representatives of HM Government.
“We knew we had a strong case to retain these civil service posts in East Kilbride and we were confident that we were being listened to. The news today has confirmed both those things.
“We still need to understand the ramifications for this decision on the wider long-term civil service presence in the town but we will be delighted to continue our discussion with the government on this, and explore all long-term options to accommodate the civil service in East Kilbride.
“In the meantime, I am just glad to note that civil service jobs are part of East Kilbride’s New Town history and they are now clearly part of our future too.”
Scottish Labour and Co-op MSP Monica Lennon was also delighted by the news and described her colleague Joani Reid as being “tenacious” in fighting to retain the jobs in her constituency.
“This is fantastic news for East Kilbride and for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office workforce”, said Ms Lennon.
“My Labour colleague Joani Reid MP has been tenacious in fighting to retain the FCDO in East Kilbride. Plans by the previous Tory government to move these jobs out of Abercrombie House were wrongheaded.
“Thanks to the Labour government, the right decision has been reached and it’s a victory for East Kilbride.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
READ MORE: Busy East Kilbride Road to face closures as Busby railway bridge is replaced
