Jobs switch divides cities

By Martin Collier
BBC News Online Scotland

Ministers want to relocate the headquarters

The decision by ministers to insist on switching the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage from Edinburgh to Inverness has led to a tale of two cities.

Clashes over the transfer of 220 jobs have divided Edinburgh and Inverness.

Inverness is, in the main, poised to give a warm welcome to the move north by the conservation quango.

However, 154 miles to the south, the plans have received a distinctly chilly response.

Highland Council officials have spoken of the development boost provided by a jobs switch and business leaders are looking forward to the benefits from a major public sector employer setting up shop in town.

The influx of quality jobs will contribute significantly to the development of the city Alison Magee Highland Council convener

But in Edinburgh, the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) is seeking talks with ministers to establish what the impact will mean in terms of relocating staff.

The union also wants to see if First Minister Jack McConnell can stick to his apparent promise of no compulsory redundancies.

PSC negotiator Albie O'Neill said: "This signals ministers' determination to force this move through.

"But they have not been as determined in coming up with ways of avoiding redundancies - as the first minister promised during the election campaign - having said nothing on that since Mr McConnell made his statement on the issue in April.

"We will be saying to the SNH management that the ministers' direction does not tell them how many staff have to move from Edinburgh to Inverness."

'Peat bogs'

Fay Thomson, of the Federation of Small Businesses in Inverness, said: "People in the city generally welcome any kind of economic activity - particularly when it is recognition that Inverness is part of the Scottish economy, rather than being straight out of the peat bogs.

"The more jobs that come to this area and the higher the quality of the jobs, the better.

"There are spin-offs for smaller businesses as a result of supplying goods and services to these organisations and one would hope SNH would use local suppliers."

Mr McConnell pictured speaking to SNH staff

Sandy Cumming, chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: "Modern communications, from transport links to broadband technology, are making it possible to run globally successful businesses from rural locations.

"The same forces mean that it is no longer necessary for government departments and agencies to be clustered in the central belt.

"There is a compelling logic in the headquarters of Scottish Natural Heritage being located in its rural heartland."

Highland Council convener Alison Magee, said: "The influx of quality jobs will contribute significantly to the development of the city."

She added that it would provide a "huge boost" to the local economy.

'Warm welcome'

"It is a wonderful opportunity to create many jobs in the green industry."

Highland Labour MSP Maureen McMillan said: "The SNH staff will get a very warm welcome in Inverness and I'm sure that once they move there they will enjoy the quality of life."

Ministers have now formally ordered the civil servants to move to Inverness despite fears of a brain drain and a huge bill.

In Edinburgh, opposition to the move north is so strong among trades unions and politicians that calls have been made for an independent inquiry into the decision.

Susan Deacon, Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, said: "I am surprised and bitterly disappointed that the executive has pressed ahead with the imposition of this move."