THE Labour MP for Workington and Whitehaven has called on the government to bring ‘new, well-paid jobs’ to West Cumbria in industries that ‘will last’.
His comments come after the new Labour government has claimed that there was an 'error of law' in granting planning permission for the west Cumbria coal mine and has pulled its defence of the decision in forthcoming legal challenges.
Angela Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, has said that there was an 'error of law' in the decision to grant planning permission for the controversial mine in December 2022 by the previous government.
West Cumbria Mining first mooted the coal mine in 2014, permission was initially granted in March 2019 but it has since faced legal challenges.
The mine would provide coking coal to the steel industry as opposed to generating coal for energy production.
“The proposals for the mine won’t provide the long-term jobs that we need,” said Josh MacAlister MP.
“It’s a risky bet on a dying industry. The Tories knew this, which is why Boris Johnson opposed the mine as recently as 2021.
“However, the new government must provide an alternative plan to bring new well-paid jobs to West Cumbria in industries that will last.
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“The election of a Labour government last week means that we now have a government committed to delivering a green industrial strategy to get these jobs here.
“I’ll be holding ministers’ feet to the fire to set out a detailed, credible alternative for West Cumbria that will deliver the brighter future we need and deserve.”
The decision by the government has been criticised by former Conservative MP for Workington Mark Jenkinson who said that Labour had ‘betrayed’ West Cumbria.
“Many were adamant they wouldn't do it, but our new Labour MPs have started exactly as they mean to go on - betraying West Cumbria, betraying their 'growth' agenda, and betraying the environment by green lighting the import of thousands of tonnes of coking coal,” said Mr Jenkinson.
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