Diageo profits strengthen case against job cuts - Carmichael

Commenting on Diageo’s announcement of a £2bn profit, Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary, Alistair Carmichael said:

“This news will be hard to take for the workers whose jobs are hanging in the balance."

“It is difficult to see why a business making profits in the billions considers itself so hard-pressed that it has to lay off workers who have shown years of loyalty.

“This news only strengthens the case for Diageo to think again before it axes jobs at its historic Kilmarnock site. It is the dedication of Diageo’s employees that have allowed it to become so profitable - sacking them now would be an unforgivable way to reward them.”

RBS pension cuts for 60,000 make Goodwin’s pay-off still harder to swallow - Carmichael

"This will doubtless be bad news for many employees in Scotland, and makes the Government's inability to stop Goodwin's substantial pay-off all the more difficult to swallow," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Scotland Secretary. Commenting on the news that RBS is to cap increases in the pensions of over 60,000 workers, Alistair Carmichael said:

“Considering Fred Goodwin managed to get away with much of his massive pension despite his catastrophic management of what was the UK’s largest bank, it seems a little tough that it is those whose jobs he endangered who have to make savings.

“It is right that a state-owned bank such as RBS should look at what savings it can make. But any belt-tightening should start at the top.

“This will doubtless be bad news for many employees in Scotland, and makes the Government's inability to stop Goodwin's substantial pay-off all the more difficult to swallow.”