Summary
The extent of the damage which the Government's seemingly- endless foot-dragging over the future of Devonport Naval Base is doing has been crystallised by business leader Tim Jones.
As anyone connected with our city knows, the constant prevarication and obfuscation from Whitehall about what the future holds for this facility has eroded confidence among those who live and work here. Plymouth people have become tired and frustrated at the repeated refusals of Ministers to spell out where the base stands, and what will happen to its frigates and submarines. But now the reality of how much this is affecting Plymouth has been articulated by Mr Jones, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council and a city businessman himself. As South West Devon Tory MP Gary Streeter prepared to table a series of questions in the Commons demanding answers on the base's future, Mr Jones warned that potential investors are holding back on millions of pounds which could be ploughed into Plymouth at a time when we desperately need such a shot in the arm. In an interview, which ought to shame those responsible for keeping Plymouth in the dark, Mr Jones said that he believes firms across the country are watching developments here with interest. But in an indication of the seriousness of the incessant delays, he told us: "I know for a fact that investors from outside the region are delaying their decisions on investing in Plymouth until this issue is sorted out. We are talking about millions of pounds." To underline the gravity of this argument, David Parlby, chief executive of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry, added: "Uncertainty does business no favours in the end." How right he is. The alarming thing is that most people here agree with him. The Naval Base and Dockyard workers do; their unions and management likewise; even people across the city who have no connections with the Yard are also in agreement. So if they can see it, why can't those in power?See the full content of this document
Extract
The Terrible Cost of Uncertainty
We make no apologies for...
See the full content of this document
Sponsored links
