North East Mayor secures Hitachi rail jobs in deal with Government and industry

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has welcomed a new deal to safeguard rail jobs at Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe, delivering a major manifesto commitment.  

Responding to the announcement, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: 

“When I stood to be Mayor, I went on a tour of the Hitachi factory and heard from workers on the floor that their number one need of a mayor was to protect their jobs now, and protect the future of train building in our region. 

“Immediately after the General Election I wrote to the Prime Minister with a set of asks to back the North East. Hitachi was top of that list.  

“Six months on, we have delivered.  

“I've been fighting hard behind the scenes with Hitachi to find a solution. We've spoken every week since I took office, and I've taken every opportunity to lobby Government ministers, and twist the arm of the rail industry to invest in our workers and region.  

“I'm delighted they have listened. Today shows the power of what we can achieve when we stand together, and that our great North East has bright days ahead of us. We finally have a government on our side, and working with me to make the North East the home of real opportunity.”