No 10 fighting to save jobs at plane firm’s Ulster factory

THE Government is “working tirelessly” to safeguard Bombardier’s operations and workforce in Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire said yesterday.

The Secretary of State sought to address MPS’ concerns over a bitter aerospace trade dispute that could devastate one of the country’s top employers.

Prime Minister Theresa May has asked US President Donald Trump to help broker a deal in the spat between Boeing and Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier.

Speaking during the Commons’ Northern Ireland questions, Mr Brokenshire said: “Our priority is to encourage Boeing to drop its case and seek a negotiated settlement.”

His comments came as DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds raised the issue of jobs in Bombardier’s Belfast plant and urged Mr Brokenshire to “remain fully committed to ensure those jobs are safeguarded”.

The Conservative MP stressed the Prime Minister was engaged on this issue.

He said: “Whilst this is a commercial matter, as he knows the UK Government is working tirelessly to safeguard Bombardier’s operations and its highly skilled workforce in Belfast.”

Bombardier, which employs around 4,500 staff in Belfast and accounts for 10% of the country’s manufacturing exports, is facing significant costs in the dispute.

The fallout centres on Boeing’s allegations that Bombardier received subsidies allowing it to sell its Cseries planes at below-market prices.

AT RISK Plant in Belfast