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Staff at a Stornoway call centre have been thrown a jobs lifeline after it won an extended contract.

 

Redundancy notices to the workforce at the Consumer Advice Direct (CAD) base in Willowglen are being withdrawn.

 

Workers were previously told they would finish in March.

 

Consumer Advice Direct - an arm of the Citizens Advice Bureau - has now secured a renewal of the government contract.

 

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of CAD confirmed the jobs rescue in a letter to MP Angus MacNeil.

 

It follows meetings held between Citizens Advice Scotland, representatives of the local workforce and the islands’ two parliamentary representatives.

 

Angus MacNeil said: “Having met with Unison and a staff representative from the call-handling centre in Stornoway, I know just how concerned staff were about their future. The announcement that the jobs are safe is certainly very welcome news.

 

Alasdair Allan MSP commented: “This is very positive news for the workforce and the wider island economy.

 

“The fact that CAD appear willing to keep this work in Stornoway is very positive.

 

“The Scottish Government remains very committed to these jobs being in Stornoway in the longer term too, and I know from speaking to Citizens Advice Scotland that this is their preference too.

 

“I have therefore asked Citizens Advice Scotland what more can be done to provide security for the workforce. These are issues I have also raised with HIE and with Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing.

 

“For just now however, I am delighted that real progress has been made and these much-valued jobs will be staying in this community.”

Jobs saved as call centre receives contract extension

13 February 2015