CREATIVE APPROACH NEEDED BY AIRBUS TO PROTECT VITAL JOBS SAYS LIB DEM EURO CANDIDATE

8.00.00pm GMT Fri 20th Mar 2009

Creative approach needed says Alan

Welsh Liberal Democrat European election candidate Alan Butt Philip is calling for an innovative and creative approach is taken by Airbus after news emerged that the company was considering cutting staff at its Broughton site in Flintshire.

Airbus confirmed yesterday that a review was being carried out but said no decisions have been reached yet about the future of the 7,000 staff employed at the wing-making plant.

Speaking during a visit to North East Wales today (20 March 2009) Welsh Liberal Democrat Alan Butt Philip said: "While it is understandable that any business reviews its staffing needs during these difficult times I would hope Airbus will look to examples from other manufacturing sectors to see what alternative measures could be taken.

"It is vital that specialist businesses such as Airbus and its wing-making plant at Broughton maintain the expertise and skills of its workforce to ensure it is best placed to bounce back when economic fortunes turn around as they undoubtedly will.

"The government should also look to offer assistance in the same way it has done for the automotive industry.

"In times of international difficulty these problems need international co-operation and a collective approach to tackling this downturn and the Liberal Democrats are working with our European neighbours to boost trade and create new jobs.

"No business is better placed to understand that approach than Airbus with its pan-European business model knowing that it makes sense to work with other countries to create and protect jobs at home."

ENDS