Vauxhall job cuts indicate serious recession

1.36.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th May 2006

Commenting ahead of today's expected announcement of 1000 job losses at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory, Dr Vince Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor said: "This underlines the fact that the British economy is seriously unbalanced.

"While there is a boom in the property market and in some service activities there is a continuing recession in large areas of the manufacturing industry.

"Gordon Brown's visit must seem like a déja vu to car workers who remember how the Chancellor raised false hopes for MG Rover before last year's general election.

"The Chancellor would gain more respect, if he was honest with these workers, rather than pretending a photo opportunity for his leadership campaign will save their jobs."