The shocking decision of Jaguar Land Rover to cut up to 500 jobs at their factory in Halewood is a crushing blow for workers across our communities, for the manufacturing economy in Merseyside and for the North West’s automotive sector.

Employees and their families here in St Helens will be devastated by this news which is why, alongside regional Labour colleagues, I’ve signed and supported Maria Eagle MP’s Early Day Motion (EDM) which implores the Government to urgently step in and ensure the viability of the car manufacturing industry in the North West.

I’ll keep working closely with my Labour colleagues in Parliament, with Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, union representatives and Labour councils to back our local workforce and urge the Government to get behind them.