SEEDA responds to grim unemployment figures
12 November 2008 |
On the day that unemployment in Britain edged closer towards the two million mark, Jeff Alexander, SEEDA's Executive Director of Competitiveness & Growth, explained how the Agency is responding to regional job losses.
The grim jobless statistic really hit home in Dartford where GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the town's biggest employer, is laying off 620 workers at its manufacturing site.
Appearing on an ITV Meridian news report, Jeff Alexander outlined a support package available for those facing unemployment.
He explained that SEEDA had been aware of the factory closure for some time and is working with JobCentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council's scheme - Train to Gain - to find new positions for staff from GSK's pharmaceutical site. GSK is the world's second largest drug maker and is closing the factory due to losing patents for two drugs, leaving it vulnerable to generic competition in a global market.
During the interview Jeff Alexander explained how SEEDA is redoubling its efforts to attract investment into the Thames Gateway and has already invested £30m of government money into sites around Dartford and GSK. He also outlined the work of SEEDA's rapid response unit in trying to mitigate the impact of regional redundancies, the Agency's efforts to identify areas of growth, link companies that are downsizing with those that are expanding, and to retrain and upskill people in the south East in preparation for the expected economic upturn.
For more information about this interview please contact
Deborah Bain, SEEDA Communications
Phone: 01483 484 272
For more information please contact our press office
Tel: 01483 470155
