Last Wednesday, 17th April 2024, Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield, organised a meeting with the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, and union representatives from Hitachi.
Paul Howell said: “I’m pleased to have facilitated a crucial meeting between union representatives from Hitachi and the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, last week. This gathering signifies a commitment to collaboration and finding viable solutions for the future of the Newton Aycliffe site. The discussions centred around the challenges facing the site and the broader implications for the community and the economy. It’s imperative that we work together, harnessing the expertise of both industry stakeholders and government officials, to ensure the longevity and prosperity of this vital economic asset.
“I would strongly encourage opposition politicians to engage in looking for a way forward and to stop politicising this situation. They claim it is a political decision by the Government not to help, this makes absolutely no sense, the political imperative is clearly to do all that can be done to keep the jobs in place, the political noise is from those claiming it is simple!
“I’m encouraged by the shared dedication to finding solutions that prioritise the interests of workers, the local community, and the industry as a whole. Moving forward, I remain committed to advocating for the interests of Hitachi and will continue to facilitate constructive dialogues that can lead to positive outcomes for all involved.
“This meeting was said by all to have been valuable and constructive and ended with commitments from all parties to do all within their power to find a way forward for a sustainable future for the Aycliffe facility.”