CAMPAIGNING politician Barry Sheerman has accused Tesco of sucking the wealth out of towns and cities.
The Huddersfield MP attacked the retail giant as he continued to call for more talks over a proposed new supermarket in the town.
At Commons question time yesterday Mr Sheerman, chairman of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee chairman, said retailers like Tesco were not putting enough money into higher education.
He said: “One of the biggest employers in the country are supermarkets, like Tesco. They put very little into higher education at the moment.
“These are the people that suck the wealth of our towns and cities and take them out of communities.
“Isn’t it about time they were made to put to something back, perhaps through higher education and lifelong learning?”
But higher education minister Bill Rammell defended the company.
He said they supported apprenticeships, and had helped develop the retail foundation degree to improve the skills of their workforce.
He added: “But I absolutely agree with you that across the board employers need to be working with us to meet that higher level skills challenge.”
Mr Sheerman made his comments as concern mounted about proposals to build a new Tesco on Southgate.
Under the plans, Huddersfield Sports Centre would be demolished to make way for the development.
Its current store on Viaduct Street would be replaced by housing, offices, shops and a hotel.
A new sports centre would be on the site of the Springwood car park.
Mr Sheerman is worried the new building will be an eyesore, cause major traffic problems and undermined other town centre traders.
Yesterday, the Examiner reported how concerned businesses had written to Kirklees Council to criticise the plans.
Mr Sheerman has now demanded a parliamentary debate on the power and influence of supermarkets and their impact on communities.
And he said there would be more time for people in Huddersfield to sign a petition calling for further consultation over the Southgate plan.
He said: “My office has received a huge number of enquiries from constituents about the campaign, and in particular the petition.
“I have decided to extend the length of time the petition is in circulation to give all residents who are concerned about how little they have been consulted, and about the potentially damaging impact that Tesco Extra may have on the shape and character of Huddersfield, the chance to sign it and show their support.”
Copies of the petition are available at Huddersfield Electronics, on Cross Church Street, and Occasions, on Market Avenue.
