Brian Donohoe MP

Labour Party | Central Ayrshire

MP Donohoe looks for answers from UK Minister for Business

Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe has written to John Hutton, the Minister for Business and Enterprise in response of 250 jobs being axed at the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plant in Irvine.

Mr Donohoe is concerned that the tax laws in the UK are disadvantaging business and employees, and not just in Irvine but across the country as a whole.

The Central Ayrshire politician knows that tax issues are a significant driver of business behaviour and companies go to considerable lengths to structure their arrangements in the most tax advantageous ways.

Local MP Donohoe who has already had meetings with workers, trade union representatives and management at the plant said:

“It is quite obvious at the moment that here in the UK we are at a disadvantage. This is demonstrated by the job losses at GSK but certainly this will not be an isolated incident. Many companies are relocating their operations outwith the UK, whether it be in the Far East, Europe or on our doorstep in Ireland. In fact it has just been reported that a new film about Mary Queen of Scots is to be filmed in Ireland rather than here in Scotland, we need a level playing field.

We must be able to compete so that we can attract inward investment and sustain industries already rooted in the UK to make sure communities like Irvine do not lose out. I have written to the Minister to ask that this important issue is put back on the political agenda as a matter of urgency.”