06/04/04 - County council pledges support for Barrow jobs

Cumbria County Council Leader Rex Toft pledged today (6-4-04) to back a campaign to safeguard the workforce at the Barrow shipbuilding yard.

The campaign will focus on lobbying Government Ministers and senior civil servants at the highest level to secure the future of shipbuilding at Barrow.

Importantly, the campaign will join forces with the North West Regional Assembly, MPs and the North West Development Agency so the north west speaks strongly with one voice.

Cumbria County Council is expected to donate £10,000 to towards the campaign.

Councillor Toft said: “The loss of the jobs in Barrow is a bitter blow for the community.  We are determined to do everything we can to ensure the future security of the remaining workforce.

“Later today I am meeting with senior colleagues from the county council, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, Terry Waiting, and Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Cumbria Inward Investment Agency to look at ways to further support the campaign.”