11 March 2009
Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has promised his full and total support to all those affected by today’s announcement by Renishaw that deteriorating trading conditions will result in redundancies in order to cap losses.
Renishaw is one of the world's leading engineering technology companies and specialise in the design, manufacture and sale of precision measurement and spectroscopy equipment. With one of its primary sites based in Wotton, it is the largest single employer in the region.
Mr Clifton-Brown today spoke with Ben Taylor, the Assistant Chief Executive and Director, in order to gain a clearer picture. The current redundancy plan is to reduce the employee headcount by 500 worldwide, though most of those will be in the UK. Whilst there does remain the possibility that numbers will be fewer than this, a continued worsening of the global economic situation could result in a higher figure.
The MP has expressed his sympathy for all those who are affected by this announcement and his anger at the Government for their role in precipitating the global slowdown and their lack of suitable solutions to the crisis.
“This news is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly as workers have already been on a voluntary pay cut of 20% since February.”
“The effects of this will be far reaching as those who are made redundant will have less money to spend in shops and businesses in and around Wotton.”
This news follows on the back of Mr Clifton-Brown speaking in debate on the vote by Labour MEPs to scrap the UK’s opt-out from the Working Time Directive to ensure a 48 hour maximum working week.
During the debate Mr Clifton-Brown said “Unfortunately, unemployment in the UK stands at 1.97 million, with the claimant count in January 2009 up 438,000 on the previous year. At the time of a huge spike in unemployment, the Government and the EU are considering abolishing our opt-out. If a man or a woman loses their job, is it not their right that their partner has the opportunity to work overtime as necessary to support them and their family?”
Mr Clifton-Brown has pledged his continued support to all his constituents suffering redundancy from Renishaw and across the Cotswolds. Furthermore he will be writing to the Government to establish exactly what further assistance they can offer and is in continued dialogue with the relevant local authorities as to how they can all respond.
“Any constituent with concerns about the future in this time should not hesitate to contact me for assistance with financial matters, housing or employment”
Renishaw is one of the world's leading engineering technology companies and specialise in the design, manufacture and sale of precision measurement and spectroscopy equipment. With one of its primary sites based in Wotton, it is the largest single employer in the region.
Mr Clifton-Brown today spoke with Ben Taylor, the Assistant Chief Executive and Director, in order to gain a clearer picture. The current redundancy plan is to reduce the employee headcount by 500 worldwide, though most of those will be in the UK. Whilst there does remain the possibility that numbers will be fewer than this, a continued worsening of the global economic situation could result in a higher figure.
The MP has expressed his sympathy for all those who are affected by this announcement and his anger at the Government for their role in precipitating the global slowdown and their lack of suitable solutions to the crisis.
“This news is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly as workers have already been on a voluntary pay cut of 20% since February.”
“The effects of this will be far reaching as those who are made redundant will have less money to spend in shops and businesses in and around Wotton.”
This news follows on the back of Mr Clifton-Brown speaking in debate on the vote by Labour MEPs to scrap the UK’s opt-out from the Working Time Directive to ensure a 48 hour maximum working week.
During the debate Mr Clifton-Brown said “Unfortunately, unemployment in the UK stands at 1.97 million, with the claimant count in January 2009 up 438,000 on the previous year. At the time of a huge spike in unemployment, the Government and the EU are considering abolishing our opt-out. If a man or a woman loses their job, is it not their right that their partner has the opportunity to work overtime as necessary to support them and their family?”
Mr Clifton-Brown has pledged his continued support to all his constituents suffering redundancy from Renishaw and across the Cotswolds. Furthermore he will be writing to the Government to establish exactly what further assistance they can offer and is in continued dialogue with the relevant local authorities as to how they can all respond.
“Any constituent with concerns about the future in this time should not hesitate to contact me for assistance with financial matters, housing or employment”
