GENERAL ELECTION: PM's praise for Mini staff - but no extended rights for temps until 2011 (From Oxford Mail)

GENERAL ELECTION: PM's praise for Mini staff - but no extended rights for temps until 2011

6:26pm Tuesday 20th April 2010

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PRIME Minister Gordon Brown is using Oxford’s Mini Plant as a blueprint for how to make Britain great again as he launched Labour’s plan for growth for the next five years.

The Labour leader was flanked by his wife Sarah, Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Oxford East parliamentary candidate Andrew Smith as he chatted to BMW workers during a whistle-stop tour of the Cowley factory this afternoon.

And he praised workers at the firm for helping pull the company through the recession, as he launched a Labour General Election pledge to fight for the future of British manufacturing.

The German-owned firm has been one of the main beneficiaries of the Government’s scrappage scheme, with 6,563 Mini’s bought by motorists who got £2,000 towards a new car.

Mr Brown said: “There’s no better place to look at the future and past successes of British manufacturing than here at the Mini plant in Oxford.

“You have fought for your industry, you have fought for this car and you are creating a model that is renowned worldwide.

“In doing that you are not just keeping people here in jobs, but 50 other supplying companies in the area in business.

“The Mini is an icon of Britain. Something that signifies British creativeness, Britain’s talent in design and manufacturing.

“We want to see an economy the same as what you have achieved with the Mini.”

In February last year BMW came under fire for laying off 850 agency workers, with unions demanding immediate Government action to protect temporary staff, who have fewer employment rights than full-time colleagues.

Lord Mandelson told the Oxford Mail yesterday that proposed agency worker regulations – giving temporary staff the same employment rights as permanent staff after 12 weeks in a job – would not be introduced until 2011.

Business leaders have voiced fears the EU-imposed directive could lead to job losses.

Mr Mandelson said: “During this year when the economy is fragile we musn’t be putting pressure on businesses.

“Next year, growth will be much stronger and we’ll be in a much better position to take on additional pressure.”

Lord Mandelson also rubbished claims by Conservative leader and Witney candidate David Cameron that increasing National Insurance contributions by one per cent for both businesses and employees next year would see firms shed jobs.

He said: “Both Conservative and Labour Governments have put up National Insurance in the past when the economy has been growing and employment has risen.”

Asked whether Andrew Smith’s slim 963-vote majority had been jeopardised by soaring support for Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg after last week’s leaders debate, Mr Brown said: “There is no greater fighter for manufacturing in this country than Andrew Smith. He is a brilliant MP.”

Nick Corbett, 43, who has worked at the Mini plant for nine years was among staff who spoke to Mr Brown yesterday.

He said: “I like the man. Gordon Brown is the right man to take us through this.”

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