A CALL has been made to the Scottish Government to ensure support is available for businesses and job opportunities as a town prepares to lose a top employer.

MSP Linda Fabiani was seeking assurance from Finance Secretary John Swinney that East Kilbride would be given assistance when Rolls-Royce moves out, taking 600 jobs.

The aerospace engineering firm announced last year it will close its Nerston plant in 2015 after 60 years in the town, shifting to an existing facility at Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, where 1000 staff already work.

Rolls-Royce said the move was necessary because the repairs and maintenance plant at Nerston was approaching the end of its working life. It said moving the operation to Inchinnan was protecting jobs in the west of Scotland.

Ms Fabiani wanted to know if the Scottish Government had a plan to help business grow to create jobs in East Kilbride to replace those moving out when Rolls-Royce leaves the town.

She asked Mr Swinney: "What assistance is the Scottish Government giving to the task force set up by South Lanarkshire Council in relation to the proposed closure of the Rolls-Royce plant in East Kilbride?

"Will the Government recognise the importance of East Kilbride as the largest town in Scotland as a prime business location and ensure opportunities and assistance are provided?"

Mr Swinney said the Scottish Government was represented on the East Kilbride taskforce set up after the closure was announced. He added it was supporting the town and providing funding for development.

The Finance Secretary added: " I can give that assurance and recognise the significant role played by East Kilbride in innovation and technology and manufacturing businesses."

He said he wanted to see the continued success of East Kilbride "as a manufacturing centre within the Scottish economy".

The Nerston plant was originally opened to produce equipment for the RAF during the Korean War, but developed and grew to serve the civil sector and became one of the biggest employers in East Kilbride.

The Rolls-Royce factory at Inchinnan opened in 2004 to manufacture compressor blades and seals for its engines, also in the civilian aerospace industry.

stewart.paterson@ evening times.co.uk