Coventry Observer
This month in Ford Motor Company made an announcement of its proposed closure of the Browns Lane site in Coventry I put forward an Early Day Motion, supported by over 60 of my colleagues, to ensure the matter was debated in Parliament.
The Motion expressed concern that threat of closure of the site could mean the loss of a significant number of jobs in Coventry. Moreover, it stated that the announcement was contrary to the formal agreement Ford signed with the principal trades unions in 1998. Aside from urging Ford to honour that agreement, the EDM emphasised the need for further consultations between trades unions, the labour force and company officials to reach a positive solution.
I accompanied a delegation of representative from the labour force at Jaguar to the Paris Motor Show on 22 September 2004 to support the union member’s opposition to Ford Motors decision to close the Jaguar Production site in Browns Lane.
Also this month I proposed Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions, asking “What advice the Government is providing for young people on saving for pensions?”
The Secretary of State responded, “The Government cannot promote or provide advice about financial products for pensions saving. However, through the Informed Choice programme, the Government is delivering a range of initiatives to break down the barriers people, including young people, often experience in planning ahead for their financial future in retirement.”
In addition the Secretary of State declared, “the range of initiatives includes measures to: maximise workplace pensions savings, provide personalised information about an individual’s forecasted state and occupational/private pension positions, working with employers to provide information and advice in the workplace, and introducing a new web-based retirement planner.”
I was also delighted to attend the Asian Carers Health Day, in Coventry on 24 September 2004. I commend the work of our primary volunteer carer sector in Coventry.
Best Wishes, Jim.
