Letters – £490m train deal has virtually no benefits for British business
Dear Editor,
Awarding Spain’s CAF the £490m contract to build new rolling stock for
Northern railways is a snub to British workers and British
steel.
I find it very difficult news that no British company was able to compete
for the contract to build the 281 new trains for Arriva Rail
North.
I understand that a Spanish and a Swiss company were the main contenders
for the contract and it is a slap in the face for the struggling British steel
industry. The whole point of modernising the existing rolling stock is the
create an economic boost to the North East economy.
What I have heard from this deal is that the next benefit is virtually
nothing, no jobs for British workers, putting at risk our steel industry and
will probably increase the cost of rail travel.
Yours faithfully
Jonathan Arnott, UKIP North East MEP
