Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Sir Keir Starmer has said a deal struck by Hitachi that has saved hundreds of jobs at a Co Durham train factory will ease workers’ anxiety.
Hitachi’s £500m deal with rail operator FirstGroup its Newton Aycliffe factory will build 14 new trains, with the possibility of further investment of £460 million.
Uncertainty surrounded the future of the factory and the 700 people employed there due to the rejection of orders.
Hitachi’s UK and Ireland director said the deal was a “positive step forward”, but the Japanese company’s chief executive warned that if the northern HS2 not revived by Workfactory jobs could be at risk.
The prime minister visited the factory before the election and accused the government of the day of leaving Britain’s rail manufacturing sector “on the brink”.
He returned to the site on Friday, saying workers were “upset” when he last spoke to them “because they were afraid there would be a gap between the contract they are working on now and the next contract”.
He added: “They knew what the gap meant, which was that people could lose their jobs – a huge impact.
“I stood before them and said, ‘if we win the election and form a government, I give you my word that we will do everything we can to try and make sure that there is an agreement to fill that gap, to remove the anxiety.'”
He said the Government can be involved in such private sector deals by “setting out a strategy, being clear about the orders we need, the long-term strategy and the incentives needed to ensure these deals come to fruition”.
We are committed to boosting infrastructure and growth across the country, with today’s announcement of a £500m investment by Hitachi helping to secure the future of Newton Aycliffe
Spokesman for the Department of Transport
However, Hitachi chairman Toshiaki Higashihara warned that if Labor did not revive Birmingham to the Manchester section of HS2, which was canceled by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, jobs could be at risk again.
“If [the northern leg] remains cancelled, then the workload at Newton Aycliffe is reduced,” he told the Financial Times, “so the question is raised in terms of the extent to which we have to think about the workforce.
“If the Labor government does not review the plans within a year, that will be a problem.”
In response, Sir Keir said the last government had made a “complete mess” of HS2, but did not appear to suggest he would consider reinstating plans for the northern section.
Downing Street previously dismissed reports that Labor could reverse the decision and extend the line beyond the currently planned section.
Sir Keir said on Friday: “We are committed, obviously, to the phase between London and Birmingham.
“We have a strategy for rail across the country, which will then be measured in years, not months, not by chopping and changing.
“We will work with Hitachi and others to ensure we get the fleet we need where we need it.
“And it’s going to be the same as we did with this deal, which is understanding what’s needed, working with the sector, not against the sector, but being a government that actively engages in these businesses.”
(This deal is) great Christmas news for Hitachi workers in Newton Aycliffe
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “We are committed to boosting infrastructure and growth across the country, with today’s announcement of a £500m investment by Hitachi helping to secure the future of Newton Aycliffe.
“This Government has inherited a very difficult financial position, but we remain fully committed to delivering HS2 from Euston to Birmingham, which Hitachi and Alstom have contracted for, not the northern section.”
Friday’s deal will see FirstGroup lease 14 new trains, totaling 70 carriages, for use on its new Carmarthen-London service and other Hull Trains and East Coast Mainline services.
Jim Brewin, managing director of Hitachi Rail in the UK and Ireland, said the deal was a “positive step forward” and “just recognition of the hard work and patience of our teams”.
He also thanked local MPs and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, saying they had “worked tirelessly to support this private sector investment”.
Mrs McGuinness welcomed the deal, saying it was “great Christmas news for Hitachi workers in Newton Aycliffe”.