NOT enough is being done to protect jobs in Warrington threatened by BAE Systems’ plans to axe 2,000 jobs across the country, according to MP Helen Jones.
The Warrington North MP was among those asking urgent questions in the House of Commons.
She said it had been disappointing to heard a Minister talking about “managing decline.”
“Those of us with constituents who work in the supply chain for BAE Systems, as well as those who have constituents directly employed by the company, are disappointed to hear the Minister’s statement.
“The Opposition want to see proper investment in the skills we need and in defence industrial strategy so that we do not have to buy technologies from abroad. We need the Government to bring forward orders in order to protect jobs. They can do that now. Why is the Minister not doing that?”
Later Ms Jones said: “We should be investing in the skills we need and have a proper defence industrial strategy so that we do not rely on buying from abroad.
“It is vital to the defence of this country that we protect our sovereign defence capability. The industry provides highly skilled, well paid jobs not only in BAE itself but in its supply chain here in Warrington and throughout the North West.
“The government could be bringing forward orders now, such as buying new planes for the Red Arrows. Instead the minister talked about involving the DWP and people getting jobs building wind turbines.
“ The Defence Secretary did not even come to the House of Commons for the urgent question. It is a total abdication of responsibility by this government.“
MP Helen Jones
Warrington jobs threatened by BAE systems problems
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Some questions arising from this. For the purposes of clarity, can anyone confirm whether this question was ‘asked’ directly to the minister or was it simply ‘written’? Reading the press release again, suggests that Helen was demanding answers from the minister face to face, within the chamber? That’s how this reads doesn’t it? .But the record from Hansard (see below) states ‘written question’. Confusing. Moving on. Helen asks the minister ‘what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in Warrington in the supply chain for BAE Systems’. Surely she should know the answer to this? After all she states in this press release that supply chain jobs are under threat in her constituency. So does she know or doesn’t she know? Are there jobs under threat in Warrington ?Which jobs? Can she name them? How many people does it potentially affect? Because without doing so, I’m afraid, just makes her appear opportunistic to say the least. Surely not another press release fired out for the sake of getting your name in the headlines.
BAE Systems: Warrington: Written question – 107162
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
BAE Systems: Warrington
107162
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the number of jobs in Warrington in the supply chain for BAE Systems.
A
Answered by: Claire Perry
Answered on: 16 October 2017
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.