Nissan’s departure would shake the foundations of North East economy” warns Northern TUC

The Northern TUC has warned of the serious economic damage that would be caused by Nissan’s possible departure from the North East. Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn has warned the car-maker would have ‘to reconsider its strategy’ investing in the UK, should the country decide to leave the European Union.

Responding to this, Northern TUC Regional Secretary Beth Farhat said:

“Nissan is an integral part of our economy and the workforce there have helped make the plant a flagship of UK manufacturing. A serious reduction in investment from Nissan would shake the foundations of the North East economy. It seems bizarre that there are Conservative MPs and ministers who seem to be more interested in playing politics over Europe instead of focusing wholeheartedly on maximising jobs and investment in our region.

“The North East has the highest unemployment in the country and we simply cannot afford to lose a single job. The UK’s membership of the European Union is vital to our regional economy and guarantees important rights at work. I hope the remarks from Nissan make people sit up and realise what’s at stake.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• Nissan directly employs 6,500 people in Wearside and has an extensive supply chain across the North East region.
• Studies from South Bank University have suggested 140,000 jobs in the region are dependent on EU trade.

http://www.eabcn.org/research/documents/ukjobs.pdf

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Beth Farhat T: bfarhat@tuc.org.uk

Neil Foster T: nfoster@tuc.org.uk M: 07786717972