Theresa May assures DUP of ‘commitment’ to safeguard Bombardier jobs
2 min read
Theresa May has given fresh assurances to the DUP that she will work to ensure that the 4000 jobs under threat at Bombardier’s Belfast plant are secured.
The US Department of Commerce's decision to rule in favour of American giant Boeing in a dispute with the Canadian firm over claims of unfair subsidies could see tariffs of 220% slapped on parts built at its Northern Ireland base.
The move, which will not be finalised until February and is subject to appeal, could threaten more than 4,000 jobs at the plant - with around 1,000 employees directly involved in manufacturing the affected C-Series and hundreds more involved in the supply chain.
The issue has increased significance for the Prime Minister due to her reliance on the Democratic Unionists to prop up her minority Conservative government.
The party today called on the Government to reiterate their commitment - two weeks after it was revealed the Prime Minister twice tried and failed to get Donald Trump to directly to ramp up the pressure on Boeing into dropping its complaint.
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Nigel Dodds urged Mrs May to continue to work with them to “ensure the threat of tariffs is removed, that the C-Series is a success story and that thousands of jobs in Belfast are protected.”
The Prime Minister said the Government would work to “ensure that those jobs stay in Northern Ireland”.
"I’m very happy to give that commitment,” she said.
“We will certainly, a lot of work has been done in relation to this issue by myself, by the Business Secretary, by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other ministers with their opposite numbers in America and in Canada and we will certainly continue to do that work.
“Obviously the most recent announcement that has been made in relation to Airbus and the C-Series is an important announcement but we want to ensure that those jobs stay in Northern Ireland because we recognise the importance of those jobs for the economy of Northern Ireland, but also, obviously, for the people and their families."
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