Hodge slammed over Rover gaffe
Work and Pensions Minister Margaret Hodge has been sharply criticised after she suggested that former Rover workers should seek a job at Tescos.
Since the collapse of Rover, more than 6,000 people have lost their mainly skilled jobs. About 1,000 are believed to have found new work.
In an interview with the Wolverhampton Express & Star Mrs Hodge highlighted a new Tescos development in the area. She said: “I am saying that some of the jobs are in Tesco, and they will meet the needs of some of the unemployed and people looking for work in the district. There are also other jobs arising out of new industrial developments.”
But unions and political opponents have leapt on the comments, branding them ill-informed and insensitive.
T&G general secretary Tony Woodley, said: “Some Government ministers clearly don’t understand the strategic importance of the car industry and its skilled workforce.
“The TGWU has not given up hope of saving some of the Rover jobs and skills even if Margaret Hodge has.”
Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesman Norman Lamb said that the Rover workers needed appropriate, skilled jobs.
Mr Lamb said: “These ill-judged remarks by Margaret Hodge will be of little use to former Rover employees.
“These workers should be encouraged to find jobs where they can use their engineering and other skills.”
And Shadow DTI Secretary David Willetts said the remarks were foolish and ignorant.
Mr Willetts said: “Tesco is a fantastic British employer but Margaret Hodge’s foolish comments ignore the fact that Tesco’s workforce is very different from that of MG Rover.
“It has been estimated that on average, an employee in manufacturing industry generates £70,000 of British GDP a year, and an employee in retailing contributes only £25,000.
“It is very worrying when Ministers start to confuse the two. This is a big difference and shows why a shift from manufacturing to retail is unlikely to increase our GDP.”
Speaking later, Mrs Hodge hit back at her critics, claiming: “I did not say that MG Rover workers should apply for jobs at Tesco.
“In my interview I said that while we all feel immense empathy for those who lost their jobs, there are a range of new job opportunities coming to the West Midlands.”
She said that the Government was working closely with its partners to provide training and help finding new employment for the former Rover workers.
