This in from the Solent LEP, in their own words. Ed
Following news that Ford have confirmed their Southampton Transit plant is to shut, the Solent LEP have responded with plans to accelerate their funding support package in the area.
The Solent LEP announced the success of their £2m Regional Growth Fund bid to roll the successful Bridging the Gap programme for SMEs and new Start-Ups on Friday 19th October 2012.
Bring forward funding to safeguard jobs
It had been expected that the scheme would launch in early 2013. However, the LEP now hopes to work with Government bring forward plans to create and safeguard private sector jobs in the city.
Alongside plans to work with Central Government, initial discussions have already taken place and the Solent LEP intend to continue to work closely with colleagues at Southampton City Council, who are already in dialogue with Ford, as well as other key agencies such as the Skills Funding Agency and Job Centre Plus to mitigate the impact of today’s announcement.
“Deeply saddened by today’s announcement” says SLEP Director
Richard Williams, Solent LEP Director and Leader of Southampton City Council said: “I am deeply saddened by today’s announcement which will be a body blow, both to those employed at Ford, and the SMEs that work with Ford in Southampton.
“Whilst I fully understand that times are hard for all companies, the Solent LEP has invested heavily in infrastructure in Southampton, as have the City Council and ABP at the Port to facilitate the increased import and exporting activity we are seeing. We believe the city remains a fantastic location for global manufacturers to invest.
“Today’s announcement is particularly disappointing as, alongside our significant investment locally, it comes on the same day the Office for National Statistics have revealed that the UK has moved out of recession and experienced the fastest growth in half a decade. It doesn’t feel like that here in Southampton today.”
Fast-track the roll out of the scheme
Doug Morrison, Solent LEP Chairman, said: “Last week, I announced that the Solent LEP have secured an additional £2m for SMEs and new Start-Ups in Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Following today’s news, I intend to speak with my colleagues at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skill to fast-track the roll out of the scheme so that it is in place to assist any Ford workers that are looking to start up their own business and any SMEs in the Ford supply chain that will be affected by today’s announcement.”
