AN EMERGENCY funding package could be put in place to try to stop telecoms giants EE from leaving Inverclyde.

Greenock Telegraph: Stephen McCabe

Scottish Government minister Gillian Martin met with council leader Stephen McCabe, MSP Stuart McMillan and MP Ronnie Cowan to discuss the company's planned pullout.

BT Group want want to close the Greenock call centre after over 20 years and move 450 workers to Glasgow.

This would bring the number of jobs lost locally to 1,200 in the last 18 months.

The Inverclyde Taskforce, set up to tackle the local economic downturn, will now set up a group to develop a funding offer that could be put on the table in a bid to persuade the BT group to do a u-turn on the decision.

Councillor McCabe said: "It was helpful to meet with the minister and hear that the government shares our concerns about the impact this closure would have on the local community and economy.

Greenock Telegraph: Stuart McMillan MSP is calling for a ceasefire

"I am pleased that she has agreed to work with us to develop a package of support aimed at persuading BT to reverse the decision.

"I appreciate that will be a tall order, but it certainly won't happen if we don't at least try."

The summit with minister Ms Martin followed a letter sent by Mr McCabe urging the Scottish Government to discuss ways to halt the exit of one of Inverclyde's largest employers.

He highlighted the number of job losses suffered since Amazon and IBM left the area, followed by the manufacturing plant at BPI and RBS announcing 30 redundancies at the mortgage centre.

In her response the minister said that the government had already held discussions with the BT Group and called on them to reconsider.

Greenock Telegraph: EE contact centre in Greenock.

The minister met with the Inverclyde delegation last week and it was the decided the taskforce, which is made up of both council and government representatives, would consider ways to develop funding.

MSP Mr McMillan, who had called on the site to be considered for the new college or police station, said: “So far, BT Group have remained firm in their decision to move these jobs to Glasgow – that’s why my approach was to help secure the best possible terms and conditions to assist the staff with the relocation.

“That being said, following dialogue with the Scottish Government, I am hopeful that this sub group can put together a convincing plan to encourage EE to rethink their decision.”