Dave Thompson MSP

Last Thursday, when I arrived at the Scottish Parliament I had little idea that the CEO of HSBC Scotland would call to inform me that HSBC was cancelling its contract with HEROtsc in Aviemore where around 100 jobs will be lost if other work is not found. Every single individual job loss is a major blow to the employee, to their family and to their community and 100 potential job losses could be catastrophic.

I am told that HSBC is cutting over 2000 jobs nationally in a bid to consolidate its operations and cut costs. It plans to bring all call centres in house, and as HSBC is HEROtsc’s only customer, the call centre could close in September this year unless they get other work.

To cut around 100 jobs in a small community like Badenoch and Strathspey is the population equivalent of cutting over 4000 jobs in Edinburgh or 37,000 across Scotland. These numbers drive home the seriousness of the situation and the potential consequences of such a high number of job losses. I am treating this matter very seriously and will work closely with the company, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the Scottish Government to see if we can help them obtain other work. I resolve to do everything I can to help the individual employees concerned, and the community as a whole.

On a lighter and more positive note, it was a privilege to welcome some of Scotland’s skiing talent to an inaugural reception I was hosting at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday. Lined up in the Parliament was row upon row of medals and trophies, the results of a very successful ski season when Scottish skiers seemed to spend more time on the podium than off it. The GB team is comprised of many Scots, who benefit from the outstanding facilities that Scotland has to offer.

Badenoch and Strathspey can, of course, boast of its own contribution to the talent and success of Scottish skiing because of the Cairngorm ski centre and because it is the home of many outstanding coaches and skiers, including Hans Kuwall, an Austrian who has made his home in Scotland and is the ‘Architect of Scottish Ski Racing’. On Wednesday I was able to praise Mr Kuwall for his vision, dedication and inspiration and for laying the solid foundations for Scottish skiing, which is doubtless the reason why Scottish skiing is flourishing today.

Shona Robison, the Minister for Sport, also attended and paid tribute to the superb season that Scottish skiers have enjoyed and promised the support of the Scottish Government to the ski industry.

The success of Scottish skiing raises the profile of skiing in Scotland and worldwide. The ski centres, including Cairngorm, are becoming busier each year with skiers from abroad choosing to train in Scotland and enjoy the excellent facilities we have around the country. Of course, the recent cut in VAT on ski lifts to 5% will do a lot to support the industry and attract visitors but the Westminster Government must bring it in from next January so that our ski centres can get the benefit next season.