PRESS RELEASE

June 10th, 2009

Disappointment over RBS job losses

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has expressed his disappointment that a number of jobs are to be cut at the Royal Bank of Scotland mortgage centre in Greenock.

On Tuesday, RBS directors revealed that 25-30 positions will be lost at the site later this summer.

Mr McNeil spoke with management and trade unions that day in an attempt to minimise the impact of the job losses.

And he remains optmnistic about the long-term future of one of the area's biggest employers.

He said: "Duncan McNeil MSP said: “Given the crisis in our banking sector, there has been concern about the RBS centre in Greenock and I have discussed these issues with both local management and the new chairman of RBS, Sir Philip Hampton.

“While this is a difficult time for those workers whose job is in jeopardy, I have been in contact with both trade unions and management and I am hopeful that this difficult situation can be addressed through redeployment and voluntary redundancies.

“Importantly, I have been given an assurance from RBS director Mark Smith today that the Greenock centre remains a key site and core to the RBS mortgage business. “