Senior Tory calls for MBO support
Sir Michael Hirst, chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party, told delegates DSO management buyouts (MBOs) should be encouraged to enable them to compete on a more level footing with contract caterers.
Sir Michael, who was speaking in a personal capacity, said it was "unfair and untenable" that DSOs were forced to compete with contract caterers on their home ground but were barred from doing so elsewhere.
"I was horrified that DSOs were prevented from bidding for the Scottish Office's contract last year," said Sir Michael. "The Government has got to be consistent. A DSO has to be able to compete for work wherever it sees it."
He said many DSOs had now reached such a level of efficiency that to move into the private sector would cause them few problems. He added that MBOs were the ideal way of securing the future of Scottish DSOs after next year's local government reorganisation.