• All three Plymouth MPs have signed a joint letter to the German owners of Barden calling for urgent talks to keep the site open.
• MPs offer to go to Germany to make the case for Barden to stay open.
• Closure of Barden announced by Schaeffler in response to Brexit.

Today, Plymouth’s three Members of Parliament have united to send a joint message to the German owners of Barden calling for urgent talks to keep the site open. The closure of Barden with the loss of 400 jobs was announced by Schaeffler, the owners of Barden, which will bring to an end a fifty-year association between the company and the city.

In discussions held in Westminster, the three MPs have agreed to work together to present a united front for the good of the city in asking Barden’s owners to think again about the closure. The company is currently consulting with its staff over the closure and plans to wind down the site over the next two years transferring work and equipment to other sites around the world.

Gary Streeter MP said

“Barden is part of the local economic landscape. We will move heaven and earth to prevent its closure.”

Luke Pollard MP said:

“The campaign to keep Barden open just stepped up a gear with all the city’s MPs working together. Our message is simple: we are determined to keep Barden open and we will go the extra mile to defend jobs in Plymouth.”

Johnny Mercer MP said:

 “We will leave no stone unturned, including flying to Germany in the new year, if necessary, to persuade the German owners of Barden to think again.”