By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Jack McConnell, speaking exclusively to The Courier, last night pledged to give the mass job losses at NCR his “special attention.”

He revealed that he has ordered his ministers and officials to look urgently at what “special support” can be given to the city and the beleaguered workforce.

Mr McConnell indicated it was too early to say exactly what those measures might be, but details could emerge next week once enterprise minister Nicol Stephen has met NCR chiefs.

However, he made it clear that yesterday’s news of 650 job losses was a severe blow.

“The news from NCR today is bad news for a lot of individuals and their families,” said Mr McConnell. “I can assure you that as a government we will do everything we can to help those affected.

“The severity of the job losses is a real blow and I want ministers and officials to look carefully at what special support can be provided on this occasion.

Mr McConnell added, “I believe this is a case which merits special attention.

“Dundee has seen real progress in recent times. A city that is transforming itself into one of the creative hotbeds of Scotland.

“Dundee is central to my ambitions for the economic future of Scotland.”

The First Minister said anyone who has had any involvement with Dundee in recent years knows the city is transforming itself. “There are a host of positive examples of where Dundee is leading the way,” he said.

“Earlier this week we saw Alliance Trust unveil plans to create a further 160 financial services jobs in the city, plans that we are backing with nearly £2 million of RSA support.

“We also heard more detail on Monday of the plans to create 50 new medical research jobs in Dundee.

“The life sciences are really important to Scotland and Dundee is a world leader in many respects.

“These new jobs that come from the deal I announced with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in New York last year will really leave the city and university well placed to capitalise on the future expansion of our vital life science sector.”

He pointed to the world-beating work being pioneered at the universities in Dundee in fields such as the life sciences and computer games technology.

“They have a crucial role to play in Dundee’s future and that is good because they are great universities that the city can be very proud of.

“I will continue to do what I can to support them and the other key economic players as we seek to attract new and vibrant industries to the city and to support those who are already here.”

Mr McConnell said he was seeing what “special measures” could be taken by the Executive in the face of the NCR decision.

“So there is a lot of good news out there but it doesn’t minimise the setback from NCR today,” he said.

“The crucial thing here is to ensure that this doesn’t stop the overall momentum the city and the surrounding area is experiencing.

“I repeat that I want to see what special measures we can take to help.

“I am talking to the local MSP Kate Maclean and the enterprise minister, Nicol Stephen, will meet with NCR next week. Hopefully we will be in a position to offer extra support.

“The people of Dundee have shown a tremendous resilience in recent decades to reinvent (the city) and create new industries and centres of excellence.

“It doesn’t diminish the disappointment that will be felt from the NCR announcement.

“But it does give us confidence that the city and its people will deal with this disappointment and, with our support, will redouble their efforts to keep Dundee on the right track.”