Unions and business leaders hail confidence-building Bombardier deal

Figures from both the unions and business organisations have hailed the announcement that announcement that Bombardier has won a £1bn contract to build carriages for rail franchise operator Abellio East Anglia as “a vote of confidence” for British manufacturing.

Bombardier will be making 660 carriages for Abellio at its Derby factory.

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber said: “This order is very good news, not just for Bombardier, not just for Britain’s train-building heritage, but also for all the companies in the supply chain that can now look forward to a more secure future.

“But there is a second important message in this contract for 660 carriages being awarded to Bombardier, and the contract for the remaining 383 carriages being awarded to Swiss-based Stadler Rail, and that is that you don’t have to be in the EU to trade with European companies. UK business, generally, should take confidence from this contract award.”

Meanwhile, Unite national officer for the rail industry Tony Murphy said: “This is excellent news for the workers at Bombardier and this vote of confidence by Abellio East Anglia is a testament to their dedication, expertise and hard work. It is also good for the wider local economy and the supply chain.

“This boost for industrial production in the East Midlands shows that, despite the challenges posed by the Brexit vote on 23 June, the UK manufacturing sector is open for business and remains amongst the global leaders for high-quality engineering.

“At this time of economic challenges, as ministers wrestle with what exactly Brexit means, the fact that 1,000 highly-skilled jobs have been safeguarded for the next decade is to be applauded.”