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“There does not seem to be help for jobs at Eggborough”
Michael Fallon is a concerned man. Not only is he concerned about “hardworking families” across the country feeling the benefits of the Tories’ long-term economic plan, but he is concerned for those whose jobs are at risk.
The business and energy minister has voiced his concerns at the impact the coalition’s policy costs are having on energy-intensive industries. He said there is a “very real” threat to jobs in the steel and chemical industries due to high, and increasing, energy costs – largely due to planned increases to the carbon floor price.
In January, Fallon took on a third role as the minister for Portsmouth, to help the city recover from the loss of shipbuilding.
More than 900 jobs were lost and the Conservatives’ go-to minister was tasked with limiting the impact on the area.
Despite his obvious concerns for jobs, Fallon, and the Tories, do not seem to be offering any direct help for the 850 jobs that are at risk at Eggborough after the power station missed out on subsidies to fund its conversion from coal to biomass.
So why are those in Portsmouth getting the benefit of Fallon, while those in the Selby and Ainsty constituency are not? Take a look at the 2010 election results. Selby and Ainsty is a safe Conservative seat, while the Portsmouth North and South constituencies are marginal.
So while Fallon and the government are concerned about jobs, they seem to be more concerned about jobs that could help them to win the general election.
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