Siôn Simon MP

Jaguar Land Rover has announced that they plan to close one of their Birmingham factories, putting many jobs in possible danger. JLR, owned by Indian giant Tata, will close either it’s Castle Bromwich or Solihull factory by the middle of the next decade.

JLR have promised that no jobs will be lost in the merge, however the move follows 2,000 voluntary redundancies as the company struggled through the recession.

Siôn Simon, who’s Erdington constituency covers the historic Castle Bromwich plant, said:

“As MP for Erdington, my message to Tata is clear. Jaguar must not close.

It is the jewel in the crown. It is vital it stays open. As a Birmingham MP, my message is that the Land Rover must not close either.

The good thing about this announcement is that it is the beginning of a long process, and we have got time to make the case to keep plants in both places.

It is also good that they are promising there will be no job losses. But it is vital for Erdington that the castle Bromwich site remains.”

Erdington MP Siôn Simon met John Griffiths, Managing Director of BPM Media on Friday. BPM Media is the new name for the Birmingham Post and Mail. The re-branding of the company coincided with its recent move to the 6th floor of Fort Dunlop here in the Erdington constituency.

Siôn said:

“John and I had an informative discussion about the problems the Birmingham Post and the Birmingham Mail are facing. I am pleased to hear that there is a genuine consultation process going on at the moment to decide the future format of its published titles. In the meantime the organisation continues to evolve into a multimedia business with a wide variety of online products. I am sure that the Birmingham Mail and the Birmingham Post will continue to be a valuable source of news and information to the people of the city for many years to come, both in print and on-line.”

The award was one of only two awarded to companies in the West Midlands and Local MP Siôn Simon was delighted to help present the award.

The award was given in the innovation category for the company’s development of the ‘Homeflame’ high efficiency inset gas fire range; a range of fires so efficient and a first to the industry that they have achieved an 89% efficiency rating.

Speaking at the event Siôn Said:

“I am delighted to be here and be able to share the success of this local business. I have always enjoyed a good relationship with local businesses such as Valour and am very pleased that such innovative and green projects are being developed in Erdington.”

The Birmingham Mail is facing significant losses, and unless action is taken to redress the situation to halt them, they are predicted to continue into 2010 unless a solution is found.

The paper have now launched a consultation into a range of options which could help turn the losses around. Options under discussion include:

1.Turning the Morning Birmingham Post into a weekly paper.

2.Turning the Birmingham Mail from a live evening newspaper into an overnight publication.

Members of the public are being urged to share their views on the proposals.

Commenting on recent options outlined by the Editor of the Birmingham Mail to save both the Birmingham Post and the Birmingham Mail, Sion said:

“As a Brummie and as a consumer, it goes without saying that I support the general wish to keep the Mail an evening paper of the city. It is part of our cultural heritage which would be a great shame to lose.

I share the desire that Trinty Mirror bosses can find the needed savings elsewhere. It seems to me that redoubled investment in the online platform will be crucial to Trinity Mirrors future success.”