Perth printing firm remain tight-lipped over rumoured job cuts

Aug 19 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SPECULATION about potential job losses was rife yesterday after a Perth printing business refused to quash redundancy rumours.

The PA has learned that Montgomery Litho Group (MLG), who have premises in Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh, could slash 14 jobs at the Fair City’s Inveralmond Industrial Estate.

It was also suggested that those facing redundancy could be staff who transferred to MLG in 2005 from Norwich Union’s inplant litho printing and design team, who previously worked from the site.

The PA source said: “MLG printers are getting rid of 14 jobs.

“It will be people who used to work for Norwich Union that are facing the cuts.”

Despite numerous attempts to secure an interview with a member of management at the firm, the PA was told: “We are currently in a consultation period and we are not able to comment further.”

MLG saved 41 jobs when it purchased the Norwich Union site for an undisclosed sum in September 2005.

The worrying revelation coincides with the UK government’s release of unemployment figures.

In Perth and North Perthshire, those claiming Job Seekers’ Allowance (JSA) last month increased to 1738 from a figure of 1538 at the same time last year.

Of the 1738, 140 have claimed for one year or more.

Meanwhile, in the constituency of Ochils and South Perthshire, 2428 are now claiming JSA, which is a increase of 328 on July 2010, with 400 receiving financial assistance for one year or more.

Commenting on the Office of National Statistics results, Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said yesterday: “At 1738, the number of unemployed claimants in Perth and North Perthshire constituency represents 3.7% of what is termed the ‘economically active’ population aged between 16 and 65.

“That puts this area 429th out of 650 constituencies.

“Given that is a league table nobody wants to be anywhere near the top of, we are clearly doing much better than many other parts of the UK but these figures still make concerning reading.

“The figure for this July is 200 up on last July and these numbers represent real people, individuals and families who are being let down by the UK Government’s economic policies.”