Wellstream news is unpleasant shock (Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats)

Newcastle upon Tyne Liberal Democrats <info@newcastle-libdems.org.uk>

Wellstream news is unpleasant shock

November 17, 2009 4:33 PM
Originally published by Greg Stone

Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle East Greg Stone has reacted with concern following the announcement of 200 skilled engineering job losses at Walker-based offshore engineering company Wellstream.

Greg said "Wellstream have been at the centre of the development of the Walker Offshore Park offshore technology cluster, and have been a major employer in the East End's long tradition of energy-related engineering. I am very surprised to hear the news of redundancies at a company which has been seen as one of the region's success stories, and am concerned there could be a knock-on effect on the local supply chain.

"Whilst Newcastle Futures can help affected workers, I regard it as crucial to the competitiveness of the Tyne riverside industries to ensure that skilled engineering jobs are retained and not lost to the region. I hope that One North East and the region's offshore sector can support Wellstream at this difficult time and help to find new business opportunities to sustain the company into the future. These job losses are in the Minister for the North East's back yard. He needs to take urgent action to provide Government support. "