Unite: All government give on Thameslink is a catalogue of excuses

Unite assistant general secretary, Diana Holland, comments on the decision of the government to give the Thameslink contract to Siemens instead of Bombardier:

"Was the government's decision more about raising cash rather than building trains, and if Siemens has not yet developed a crucial component, how can the government guarantee the trains will arrive on time? Bombardier's workforce, and the public deserve answers.

"To date all we've had from the government is a catalogue of excuses rather that a compelling case for choosing Siemens over Bombardier."

"The government's decision to exclude Bombardier from the Thameslink contract is a national scandal. 3000 jobs are at risk, plus the future of train manufacturing in this country. The government's decision is a social and economic bombshell for Derby and the East Midlands."