Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what discussions his Department has had with oilfield services company Archer on the plans of that company to reduce its UK workforce by 400 people.

While the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has not had any direct discussions with Archer on their plan to reduce their UK workforce by 400 people, the appropriate bodies are taking this forward as economic development is a devolved issue: Skills Development Scotland has contacted Archer to offer support to the workforce through Scottish Government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative, and DWP officials are liaising with PACE counterparts on any cross-border issues.