Government urged to help save hundreds of Wirral jobs (From Wirral Globe)

Government urged to help save hundreds of Wirral jobs

2:08pm Wednesday 23rd May 2007 in News By Kelly Barker

THE GOVERNMENT was last night urged to save hundreds of jobs facing the axe from biscuit plant Burton's.

MP Angela Eagle suggested the Moreton site be converted into a 14-hectare business park, if the 660 threatened jobs are lost.

In a special parliamentary debate, she said that workers have had their loyalty "thrown back in their faces" as their future at the plant now hangs in the balance.

At the House of Commons, Ms Eagle told trade and industry minister Margaret Hodge that "no stone will be left unturned" in the battle to save biscuit manufacturing.

But if the fight is lost, she wants support for a hopeful plan B - to revive the site by implementing a massive business park.

Earlier this month, the makers of Jammie Dodgers announced "an overcapacity in the biscuit market" and slashed hundreds of jobs leaving just 300 in chocolate manufacture and seasonal assortments.

"To say that there is shock and anger in the communities of Moreton and Leasowe as staff contemplate Burton’s actions is an understatement."

Ms Eagle has dedicated her time to helping the shocked workers and has led the matter to parliament in a bid to win government support.

Negotiations between the former minister, Burton's, the North West Regional Development Agency, Wirral Borough Council and the General Worker's Union are now underway after a crisis summit was called last week.

Ms Eagle said: "To say that there is shock and anger in the communities of Moreton and Leasowe as staff contemplate Burton's actions is an understatement.

"The announcement ending the manufacture of biscuits on the site is a terrible blow for local employment prospects.

"Its threatened loss creates a very serious situation which, in my view, deserves urgent government attention."

She added: "If the company go ahead with their plans unchanged, then they will be vacating a site currently designated for industrial use and crucial to any prospect of regenerating local employment opportunities.

"In circumstances where Burton's does shed jobs, we would have to rely on Government grant to invest in new industrial units and create the infrastructure required to attract new employment opportunities to Moreton."

A meeting to take Ms Eagle's work forward will be held in Wallasey Town Hall today.