Logica refuses to rule out job cuts across Scotland

Around 350 employees working for global technology heavyweight Logica in Scotland face an uncertain New Year as the firm refused to rule out job losses at its operations north of the Border.

Logica confirmed to The Scotsman that it has begun a consultation with its Scottish staff after the IT services business recently unveiled plans to shed around 1,200 positions from its European operations in Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Reports have suggested that up to 300 jobs will be axed from Logica’s 5,000-strong UK workforce.

Although the company had, until recently, been expanding its business in Scotland, a spokeswoman said: “I can’t confirm there will be no redundancies in Scotland at this point.”

One technology sector source said: “Logica has been in a growth phase north of the Border for the past year and recruiting as recently as last September.

“Hopefully its significant financial, oil and gas and public sector contracts should see its business here remain steady despite an unspecified number of key staff having to leave.”

Logica has operated in Scotland for more than 25 years and has an office in Edinburgh as well as Aberdeen, where it runs a “hydrocarbon management centre of excellence”.

In the past 12 months, it has seen a rise in demand in both the Scottish private and public sectors for its business intelligence and smart metering systems.

BILL MAGEE