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Neston MP Reacts to Vauxhall Sale

Months of speculation and tension came to an end today with the announcement that Peugeot-Citroen will be taking over GM-owned Vauxhall-Opel in a deal worth £1.9bn.

Vauxhall's plant in Ellesmere Port

Many Neston residents working at the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall plant had feared for their future employment since talks between the two motor industry giants began.  However, when announcing the deal today, PSA (the company behind Peugeot-Citroen) sought to calm fears by saying jobs are safe for the forseeable future, as they will honour existing production contracts.

Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has been fighting for the workers' interests in the run up to the announcement today.  Reacting to the announcement today he said: "Whilst there has been a lot of media speculation about the future of the plant and the risk to jobs as a result of this merger, it is important to note that we have already had assurances from PSA that existing production runs will be guaranteed which will mean jobs are protected until around 2021. This in reality is little different to the position we would have been in had GM remained as owners.

"Now the new owners are in place, clearly work must begin in earnest to put UK production in the best possible position. There have been significant challenges faced in the past but thanks to great work between the union and management at Ellesmere Port those threats have been overcome so we must draw strength from previous success.

"There is no doubt that we have some of the most efficient plants in Europe so we have a good tale to tell and we should not underestimate the positive impact on sales that having a U.K. manufacturing base brings. There should be no doubt that one of the biggest selling points to UK consumers is that Vauxhall is a British brand that supports British jobs. That is something that I know will be stressed to PSA.

"With the country now facing new trading arrangements after Brexit this is the first test of the Government's commitment to supporting U.K. manufacturing in the new world. I am meeting Greg Clark, the Business Secretary later today and will be emphasising to him the need for the Government to commit to doing whatever it takes to protect British jobs. I will do whatever I can and expect nothing less from the Government."

Seven generations of the Vauxhall Astra have been manufactured at the Ellesmere Port plant, which employs around 1700 people.  The latest Astra model was named European Car of the Year in 2016.

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Comments

Rob Ward

At 16:39 on 6th March 2017, Rob Ward commented:

Most of us don't work for Vauxhall, but if after a few years the plant closed, it would have a massive impact on the whole area. One of the bits of 'red tape' for which the EU is often criticised is a rule limiting government subsidies to companies. Since PSA is partly owned by the French government, I hope that part of the Brexit deal will be to keep that rule, so we can compete on fair terms.

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Denno

At 14:00 on 11th March 2017, Denno commented:

As a Vauxhall owner for many years, I would be sad to see the marque disappear but I am prepared to own a Peugot instead so long as the Vauxhall employees remain in work.

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