MPs 'out of the loop' on Halifax job cuts

Nov 7 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

YORKSHIRE MPs are not being kept “in the loop” amid fears of thousands of job losses after the planned takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland by Lloyds TSB, says Huddersfield’s MP.

In the Commons yesterday Labour backbencher Barry Sheerman demanded assurances from ministers that jobs in the county would be kept under any new structure.

Commons Leader Harriet Harman said she understood the fears of MPs and told them regional minister Rosie Winterton was keeping them up to date.

The Regional Development Agency in Yorkshire had a “strong focus” on the issue as well, she added.

Mr Sheerman called for a Commons debate on the proposed takeover.