'Government didn't act quick enough' on Alstom - says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to a housing development in the Nightingale Quarter of Derby on Friday

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government "hasn't acted quick enough" to avert the potential loss of jobs at a Derby train manufacturer.

Sir Keir was in the city on Friday to announce plans for building on the green belt to boost housing supply while improving "green spaces".

Rail firm Alstom says it is in "intense discussions" with the government over a potential order for the Elizabeth line.

Sir Keir said: "It's been a very worrying time at Alstom recently."

Some work at the site in Derby has already stopped

The manufacturer had said the Elizabeth line order could "help secure the future" of its Litchurch Lane site.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said in a letter that the Department for Transport (DfT) had "secured in principle" to support funding for further Elizabeth line trains in addition to five trains confirmed in March.

It added that the "onus was now on Alstom to provide competitive pricing for the work".

• Why have things gone off the rails at Alstom?

• Production at train maker set to stop with 3,000 jobs at risk

Alstom currently employs 3,000 people in the city - more than 1,000 are permanently based there, and many others are contractors.

The future of Alstom's rail assembly factory in Derby has been under threat due to a lack of orders.

According to Alstom's managing director Nick Crossfield, the company can no longer guarantee a presence in the city because the main production has finished, with a gap until 2026 for the next order.

If the factory does close, the UK would be the only nation in the G7 without a site able to design, develop, and manufacture trains, the firm said.

Mr Crossfield added it also would have a "considerable" impact on the national supply chain - with a further 15,000 jobs at risk.

'High anxiety'

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Sir Keir said: "The problem is this question of a contract. Whilst a contract is there, workers are kept busy, and then there is a gap to the next contract.

"The government hasn't been acting quick enough because for families listening who work there or have family that work there, then you know its been a period of high anxiety, high uncertainty, and all the other jobs that go with it."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking on BBC Radio Derby

When asked if his leadership would be able to deliver a more consistent pipeline of orders, he said: "Yes, because we need a strategy for transport across the country on what we are building, where, in what order, and how do we make sure those order books are consistent."

Sir Keir added: "If you take Derby with the pride and the history it has in train building, that is not just a secure job for today; it is a part of what it is understandably something wanted for the future as well.

"I am hoping things are moving in the right direction. It looks better than it did a few weeks ago, but I don't think the government properly understand the anxiety this would have caused to people."

A DfT spokesperson said: "The Transport Secretary recently had a constructive meeting with Alstom's leadership team, and we are now in a period of intensive discussions, to conclude no later than the end of May.

"While these talks are ongoing, the department will not be providing a running commentary on discussions with Alstom. It would be inappropriate to comment on specific commercial discussions."