Paul Rowen MP reacts to mass job losses

12.00.00am GMT Mon 1st Dec 2008

Paul Rowen MP has urged the Government to act quickly after mass job losses across the borough.

The Rochdale MP has spoken out about the effects of the credit crunch, and says the retail sector has been put under huge pressure.

Gloom was swept through the town as workers from Woolworths, A Novo, Renault and Mark One lost their jobs just a fortnight before Christmas.

Paul has also repeated the Lib Dem call for a 4p cut in income tax and claimed that Alastair Darling's pre-budget report released last week has 'failed' and not improved confidence in the economy.

Mr Rowen said: "The effect of the credit crunch in our town runs deep and it's clear that the retail sector and jobs that rely on it are under huge pressure.

"This latest news is disastrous just before Christmas and my thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs and those who depend on them.

"What is clear is that the Government's fiscal stimulus released last week has not improved confidence in the economy and has failed.

"The Government needs to act swiftly and ensure that they do more to protect businesses. The fact that Mark One has now gone under is a blow to our Town Centre and again I feel for those affected by yet another piece of bad news.

Paul Rowen, a Lib Dem Work and Pensions Shadow Minister has also repeated his call for more staff and resources at Job Centre Plus as soon as possible.

Last week, Paul Rowen led the Liberal Democrat response in Parliament after James Purnell MP, the Cabinet Minister for Work and Pensions announced a u-turn and promised look at improving resources.

Mr Rowen said: "What is urgently needed is for extra resources to be put in Job Centre Plus offices now to cope with the current emergency. As every day passes, we keep hearing more bad news and what we need from the Government is action, not words".