Nissan job losses a serious blow to the North East

The announcement that Nissan are to make 1200 workers redundant has sparked urgent calls from local Lib Dems to the government to help the North East economy.

Fiona Hall Lib Dem Member of the European Parliament for the North East said, “Nissan’s announcement is a serious blow for one of the North East’s biggest private employers and a shock for one of Europe’s most productive car plants.

“It is now important that the government provides the right kind of support to the North East’s car industry - which is still a vibrant and dynamic part of our regional economy, as well as to those workers who have today found themselves without jobs.

“We are pressing for training packages and investment in big projects such as improvements to the A1 and the East Coast rail line to boost job opportunities.

“The recent announcement by Nissan parts supplier Unipres that they are losing 300 jobs, there is a long struggle ahead for car manufacturing in the North East.”

Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats said, “This will be devastating news for the North East.

“The regularity and scale at which job losses are now being announced show just how serious a recession we are now in.

“The Government must act quickly to give support and training to those affected so they are able to find new jobs as soon as possible.”