Wayne David, Labour MP for Caerphilly, has called on the UK Government to give immediate financial support to GE (Aviation), Nantgarw.  The support would be to save 369 jobs at Nantgarw, near Caerphilly.

The plant services aircraft engines but because of the COVID-19 crisis, the number of engines requiring servicing has fallen dramatically.  General Electric has already made over 200 employees voluntarily redundant.  The company now says it needs to reduce the workforce further and it is anticipated that many workers will suffer compulsory redundancy.

Wayne David is liaising with Unite the Union and has held disussions with Ed Miliband, the Shadow Business Secretary, and Nia Griffith, the Shadow Welsh Secretary.  Mr David has also raised the issue directly with Simon Hart, the Secretary of State for Wales.  Wayne David is urging the UK Government to come forward with a support package for the aerospace sector, especially GE Nantgarw, which will be designed to save jobs.

Wayne David said “This is a crisis for much of South Wales but especially for Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taff.  At Nantgarw GE employs highly skilled workers and pay good wages.  We cannot afford to lose these jobs.  The loss of 369 jobs will be a body blow to those directly affected but also to the local economy.  That is why I am calling on the UK Government to come forward with a package of measures designed to save jobs.  The Government needs to recognise the importance of aerospace to our economy and to the locality”.