Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley says he will do ‘all he can’ to ensure that Vestas workers who face losing their jobs are properly supported, after Island Echo broke the news that 600 jobs are at risk of redundancy.
An all-staff meeting was called at Vestas’ Stag Lane depot in Newport this morning (Wednesday) where anxious workers learnt that all their jobs are now at risk, although around 300 roles could be saved if new projects with Government support come to fruition.
A formal 45-day consultation period has now been entered, as first reported by Island Echo, with a decision on the future of local jobs expected on 25th January 2025.
The devastating news comes just 2 weeks before Christmas, leaving hundreds of local families now wondering what 2025 will look like. It is a massive blow for the local economy too, with between 300 and 600 people expected to be out of work within months.
However, Vestas has entered into an Agreement in Principle with the UK Government to produce an on-shore V136 blade, which could secure around 300 local jobs. The firm says that it ‘greatly appreciates’ that the Government has ‘leaned forward’ to enable this change.
Responding to the announcement from Vestas today, Richard Quigley MP – who operates the on-site catering at Vestas’ factory – has said:
“This will be deeply concerning news for the workers at Vestas and all my thoughts are with them and their families at this difficult time.
“The government has stepped in to help save the factory from complete closure, securing half of the jobs on the site, which will now be repurposed to manufacture onshore wind turbine blades. The previous government’s lack of an industrial strategy and the banning of onshore wind has meant planning the future for companies like Vestas has been extremely difficult.
Article continues below this advertisement “I am grateful that Ed Miliband has worked with the Treasury to protect as many jobs as possible in an industry vital to both the Island and the UK”
“The swift action from this Labour Government underscores their commitment to fighting for British industries and workers.
“I will do all I can to work with the local community to ensure those impacted by this news are properly supported.”
Ed Miliband, Labour’s Energy Secretary, has said:
“My thoughts today are with the staff at Vestas who are facing uncertainty about the future of their jobs, especially at this time of year.
“I am, however, pleased that we have reached this agreement in principle with the company to save 300 jobs on the site, and that our lifting of the ban on onshore wind farms is helping make a site earmarked for closure viable for the future.
“This agreement in principle will now need to be followed up by the formal due diligence process. But the action we are taking is designed to secure work at one of the Isle of Wight’s largest employers, and give the UK a vital new industrial capability for our clean energy future”.
What reason has Vestas given a reason for makiing the redundancies?
With his support, they are doomed.
What did Quigley achieve with the Ferries!
Just more Labour waffle, at least you will get
redundancy tax free under £30,000.00
unless Accounts Clerk R.R moves the
Goal Posts.
Lol
Make me a list of what the Tories achieved for the Ferries? Theres been a Tory MP for here the entirety of the 14 years of of Tory rule, what did they achieve part from nothing? We had expert waffle from the self serving Seely who wouldn’t tackle Red Funnel because of his cousin Partick Seelys position on the board. 14 years of public service and public money corruption and Robertson is sitting there like that lot have the answer in the other article. Give your thick head a wobble and take off the Tory tinted specs. Stick to moaning about speed cameras.
Obviously you are a deluded Labour Supporter
Bless you!
The only reason this clown is “supporting” Vestas is that he can see his nice little catering business going down the drain.
You can just tell looking at his slimy smirking face he don’t give one damn toss, the only thing he cares about is his bulging pocket
Im sure he runs the catering franchise at Vestas?
And how many people will be out of work on the island when quiggers and his boss destroy the farms??
More than 600 I’d say.
Vestas is a big company looking to get a government handout possibly.