Business Link facing the axe in programme of cuts

Jun 8 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

Cuts to the identity cards scheme have meant 62 workers at the Durham City passport office are to go.

The Liberal Democrats had promised money from the scrapped scheme would go back into policing but last week it was revealed the county was instead facing cuts to policing levels.

Durham North MP Kevan Jones said jobs losses would spread across the region as the Tories introduced “cuts for ideological reasons”.

He added: “When it comes to business support we are seeing one thing from the Government on a national level but a very different thing when you look at the decisions taken locally.

“There is no way this will not have an effect on small businesses in the North East and it appears they are going to lose out because the Government wants to cut for ideological reasons, because it is fundamentally opposed to the public sector regardless of the jobs involved.

“People should now recognise that this is not about controlling the cuts, it is instead cuts made out of an aversion to the public sector.

“And the entire region is going to feel the pain that has already began in Durham.”

A spokesman for the Department for Business confirmed there is an “ongoing review” but denied any decision had been taken.

Last night a spokesman for Business and Enterprise North East, which runs Business Link in the region, said the agency was still awaiting news on its future.

He said: “The Government has not decided on its plans for Business Link and as Mark Prisk has said, a wide body of evidence will need to be reviewed before any decision is made.

“BE-NE is focused on delivering an excellent Business Link service to its customers and it would be speculation to comment on what may or may not happen in the future – especially as the Government has not yet finalised its plans.”