450 jobs go in Volvo truck plant closure

VOLVO DEALT a hammer blow to Scotland yesterday by confirming that its Irvine truck and bus plant will close next year with the loss of 450 jobs, writes Michael Harrison. Production will be moved to Belgium and Sweden.

Unions were furious that the announcement was made in the midst of talks over a rescue for the facility. Danny Carrigan, Scottish regional secretary of the AEEU engineering union, warned the closure would mean 1,000 job losses in total. He said: "This is devastating news and we will campaign to reverse the decision. We believe the plant is efficient and productive and that closure does not make business sense."

Mr Carrigan was going ahead with a meeting yesterday with Gus Macdonald, Scottish Industry Minister, on keeping the plant open. The union plan includes productivity improvements and investment by truck buyers.