May pressured over job worries

A future Tory government would deliver the “strong economy” Britain needs to invest in the North, the Prime Minister claimed, as she came under pressure over plans putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

A FUTURE Tory government would deliver the “strong economy” Britain needs to “guarantee” investment in the North, the Prime Minister has claimed, as she came under pressure to intervene in plans that are putting hundreds of the region’s jobs at risk.

In her first major pitch to voters in Yorkshire, Theresa May argued that only under a “stable” Conservative government can the region’s towns and cities expect to see high levels of investment in infrastructure and industry.

However, her attempt to woo the region was marred by the ongoing uncertainty created by Nestlé’s decision to move hundreds of jobs from factories in Yorkshire and the North East to Poland.

Despite claiming the Government “stands ready” to support affected workers, the suggestion that ministers will not fight to save their jobs failed to reassure local MPs.

Addressing the Commons during her final Prime Minister’s Question Time before the snap general election, Mrs May used every available opportunity to paint the Conservatives as the party that will provide “strong and stable leadership”.

This was in contrast to the “chaos” and “weak” leadership that would characterise a Labour government.

Responding to a question from the York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, she made it clear that the benefits of this stability would be felt both in the North and regions across the country.

Citing examples of Government funding for local transport projects, Mrs May explained how she would “continue... to deliver for regions like Yorkshire”.

“We have been able to invest £1.6m this year for transport improvements, £2.2m for highways maintenance and £1.3m to support the sustainable i-travel York initiative,” she said.

“But we can invest in infrastructure only if we have the strong and stable leadership that secures a strong economy. That is what the choice in June will be.

“It is very clear: a strong economy, guaranteeing investment in York and across the country under the Conservatives, or bankruptcy and chaos with Labour.”

Mrs May was also grilled by York Central MP Rachael Maskell for her response to news that up to 181 jobs in Yorkshire could be at risk as a result of Nestlé’s decision to move its Blue Riband operations to Poland.

Ms Maskell claimed this would be “devastating for workers, their families and the community” and urged the Prime Minister to meet with unions and company representatives to “strike a special deal to save these jobs”.

Mrs May acknowledged it was a “worrying time” for employees, but stopped short of saying she would take action to avoid job losses. “We are already in contact with the company to understand its plans and the next steps [and] the Business Secretary will be speaking to Nestlé representatives later today,” she said.

“The Department for Work and Pensions... stands ready to put in place its rapid response service to support any workers made redundant by helping them back into employment as quickly as possible.”

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s response, Ms Maskell said she was “bitterly disappointed by the lack of compassion and fairness”. “It is appalling that rather than try and avert these job losses and safeguard future jobs.. the Prime Minister shrugs her shoulder and says that people can go to the Jobcentre,” she said.

“I will be meeting with Nestle later this week to discuss how we can work together to secure jobs.”