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Job talks on Scottish Power bid | Job talks on Scottish Power bid |
(10 minutes later) | |
The future of Scottish Power will be discussed when the first minister meets senior figures from the Spanish company seeking to take over the utility firm. | |
It was announced last week that Spanish energy giant Iberdrola had launched a £11.6bn bid for Scottish Power. | It was announced last week that Spanish energy giant Iberdrola had launched a £11.6bn bid for Scottish Power. |
Jack McConnell and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen want to seek assurances over jobs from Iberdrola company chiefs. | Jack McConnell and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen want to seek assurances over jobs from Iberdrola company chiefs. |
The Scottish National Party will also declare its opposition to the merger. | The Scottish National Party will also declare its opposition to the merger. |
Iberdrola president Ignacio Sanchez Galan will be holding the talks with politicians in Glasgow. | Iberdrola president Ignacio Sanchez Galan will be holding the talks with politicians in Glasgow. |
We will be seeking assurances that jobs will be secure, that the company will not be broken up and that a fully functioning HQ will remain here in Scotland Nicola SturgeonSNP Holyrood leader | We will be seeking assurances that jobs will be secure, that the company will not be broken up and that a fully functioning HQ will remain here in Scotland Nicola SturgeonSNP Holyrood leader |
Mr Galan is meeting executive ministers, SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, Tory deputy leader and enterprise spokesman Murdo Fraser and Glasgow Conservative MSP Bill Aitken. | Mr Galan is meeting executive ministers, SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, Tory deputy leader and enterprise spokesman Murdo Fraser and Glasgow Conservative MSP Bill Aitken. |
Last week Philip Bowman, the chief executive of Scottish Power, told Mr McConnell and Mr Stephen that jobs would not be lost in the Spanish takeover. | Last week Philip Bowman, the chief executive of Scottish Power, told Mr McConnell and Mr Stephen that jobs would not be lost in the Spanish takeover. |
Mr Bowman also gave them assurances on other issues such as future investment and renewable energy plans. | Mr Bowman also gave them assurances on other issues such as future investment and renewable energy plans. |
A spokesman for the first minister said: "It makes sense for the first minister and deputy first minister to speak to the Spanish company. | A spokesman for the first minister said: "It makes sense for the first minister and deputy first minister to speak to the Spanish company. |
Ignacio Sanchez Galan will face scrutiny over the deal | Ignacio Sanchez Galan will face scrutiny over the deal |
"They will be doing that and seeking similar assurances." | "They will be doing that and seeking similar assurances." |
Iberdrola has said the takeover would be a positive move for employees and customers and that it would keep Scottish Power's offices in the UK, where it employs about 9,500 people. | Iberdrola has said the takeover would be a positive move for employees and customers and that it would keep Scottish Power's offices in the UK, where it employs about 9,500 people. |
Scottish Power supplies power to 5.2 million homes and profits for the six months to 30 September jumped 77% to £483m. | Scottish Power supplies power to 5.2 million homes and profits for the six months to 30 September jumped 77% to £483m. |
Nationalists have previously called for the takeover to be blocked, pending an EU investigation into Spanish tax subsidies. | Nationalists have previously called for the takeover to be blocked, pending an EU investigation into Spanish tax subsidies. |
Speaking ahead of this morning's meeting Ms Sturgeon said the takeover of Scottish Power was not in Scotland's national interest. | Speaking ahead of this morning's meeting Ms Sturgeon said the takeover of Scottish Power was not in Scotland's national interest. |
She said: "In particular, we will be seeking assurances that jobs will be secure, that the company will not be broken up and that a fully functioning HQ will remain here in Scotland. | She said: "In particular, we will be seeking assurances that jobs will be secure, that the company will not be broken up and that a fully functioning HQ will remain here in Scotland. |
"We will also be stressing our view that Iberdrola should continue Scottish Power's investment in renewables and not divert resources into nuclear energy." | "We will also be stressing our view that Iberdrola should continue Scottish Power's investment in renewables and not divert resources into nuclear energy." |