Jobs Boos In Ayrshire

Friday July 2010, 18:51:15

Three firms in Ayrshire are being given almost £10m in Scottish government cash to create 45 new jobs and safeguard up to 486 others. Prestwick-based aerospace firm Spirit will receive £4.3m in help to safeguard 156 jobs and create 17 new posts. Another Prestwick-based aerospace firm, Slingsby, will use grants of almost £600,000 to create up to 28 jobs. Pharmaceutical manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) will use almost £4.9m to secure 330 jobs in Irvine. The bulk of the government cash is being delivered through the Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) scheme. Other grants are being awarded in the form of training support. Announcing the support during a visit to Ayrshire, First Minister Alex Salmond said it was important to "strengthen the economy and increase employment opportunities". He added: "We are using every tool at our disposal to stimulate Scotland's economy, including nearly £10m in various forms of government support to help secure and create 531 jobs in Ayrshire and to attract £54m of private investment to the area. "I am delighted that GSK, Slingsby and Spirit have demonstrated their confidence in Scotland's economy, and the skills and experience of the local workforce, with their plans for significant investment in the Ayrshire area."