MP is behind the play
I read with interest and disbelief Bridget Phillipson's column of July 15.
First of all, the column carried the headline "This pandemic has exposed the weakness of our economy". I'm sure she understands that the pandemic had global economic impact and the UK is recovering as well as most and better than some. This is because the UK had a strong economy at the start of 2020 before the pandemic hit. We also had data at the end of 2019 that showed the joint highest figure for people employed since records began. The UK also had unemployment falling below 4% for the first time in 44 years. Hardly signs of a weak economy. The UK's strong position also allowed the Government to protect and support 14.5million working people during the pandemic, about a third of the working population.
With the economy now back in growth and unemployment falling again, things are getting back on track.
The MP then goes on to say the investment at Nissan, (no mention of this being supported by the Government), has to be the start not the end. She adds. "it is important to move to making car batteries ourselves". Nissan have beaten her to that idea with a new battery plant in Sunderland announced in June. I'm sure she has not missed the other great news about the battery plant to be constructed in Blyth. Then there is the investment in the hydrogen transport hub on Teesside. What about the huge investment in Elsmere Port where electric vehicles are now to be built saving 1,000 jobs? There is a hydrogen plant being built in Dundee. Plans have been submitted for a battery plant in Derby, again creating 1,000s of jobs. As for saying we must shift to building electric vehicles. Did the MP miss the announcement
in June of Nissan adding to their range by investing £423m in a new generation electric vehicle?
There seems to be a trend in Labour to claim something that has already been announced as their new idea. A trend perpetuated by Bridget Phillipson.
Alan Wright via email
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