Anger at Derby Bombardier 'snub'
There is growing anger over the government's decision to snub Derby trainmaker, Bombardier by awarding the £7.5bn contract to build a fleet of inter-city 'super express' trains to Japanese firm Hitachi.The government has claimed the contract would "create and safeguard" 12,500 UK jobs but the Conservatives have said that the transport secretary has not provided details to back up the jobs claim.
The consortium gaining the contract is known as Agility Trains and, as well as Hitcahi, includes John Laing and Barclays Bank.
Soon after the contract award was announced it emerged that much of the new trains' construction will take place in Japan, with only final assembly being carried out in Britain, creating about 500 new jobs. Sites in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, (Leicestershire), Sheffield and Gateshead are being considered according to Agility Trains.
Conservative Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers MP said the announcement was 'typical spin' from Gordon Browns government, " We need to clarify what on earth is going on and how much work will be done in this country.
Only around 500, at most of the 12,500 jobs, announced today will be created in the UK by the train builder Hitachi and Labour have produced no convincing evidence to back up the rest of their claims on jobs.
Geoff Hoon needs to stop the spin and tell the UK's hard pressed train manufacturing industry the real truth about his decision on replacing intercity trains."
Derby Conservatives are dismayed at the decision. Cllr Philip Hickson, leader of the Derby City Conservative Group said, "Gordon Browns Labour Government have let Derby down.
By snubbing Bombardier, they have turned their backs on thousands of Derby workers. This announcement raises further questions about Gordon Brown's claims about British jobs for British workers."