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De La Rue: Gateshead
25 June 2020
Lead MP
Liz Twist
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
EconomyEmployment
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Liz Twist raised concerns about de la rue: gateshead in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The MP highlighted the job losses at the De La Rue site in Gateshead, including the loss of 200 jobs due to the passport contract being awarded to Gemalto and subsequent job losses on the currency production side. The speech detailed the impact on local communities and called for government action to retain skilled jobs in the region. Emphasis was placed on the strategic importance of retaining such high-quality manufacturing jobs and securing future contracts.
Eleanor Laing
Con
Epping Forest
Acknowledged the concern for De La Rue's impact in her constituency.
Kevan Jones
Lab
North Durham
Stressed the importance of high-quality jobs and criticised the decision to award passport production abroad, linking it with the need for government intervention to level up the north-east.
Nadhim Zahawi
Con
Stratford-on-Avon
Acknowledged the challenges faced by De La Rue and the impact on employees, while highlighting government support measures in place.
Government Response
The Minister acknowledged the job losses at De La Rue's Gateshead site, expressing sympathy for those impacted and urging responsible redundancy processes. He detailed the rigorous procurement process that led to the awarding of the new UK passport contract to Thales, emphasising cost savings and security measures. The response included a commitment to support affected workers through rapid response services and unemployment benefits. Minister also highlighted broader government initiatives aimed at economic recovery and support for businesses in the north-east.
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Assessment & feedback
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