Northumberland’s council leader wants “urgent” talks with Rishi Sunak over the uncertain future of a multi-billion pound battery plant.
After Mr Sunak was named as the next Prime Minister on Monday afternoon, Coun Glen Sanderson called on the Prime Minister to help secure the Britishvolt gigafactory that it is hoped will bring thousands of new jobs to the county. It comes after reports last week that the company was in emergency talks to try and keep the scheme afloat.
Britishvolt hopes to produce more than 300,000 lithium-ion batteries a year at a huge facility in Cambois, near Blyth, which could deliver 8,000 jobs. But the proposals have stalled, with the company said to be holding talks with potential new investors after the recent economic chaos led supporters to back out.
Read More: 'He has no mandate' – North East reacts as Rishi Sunak wins race to become Prime Minister
Welcoming the new PM’s impeding appointment, Coun Sanderson told the Chronicle that Mr Sunak needs to “understand all of the opportunities we have in the North East” – including a proposed £3bn devolution deal that has been close to being signed off since the closing days of the Boris Johnson government. The Conservative council leader added: “We do have challenges as well, not least the issues around the cost of living.
"I am particularly concerned today with making sure we move forward with Britishvolt. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to talk to him about Britishvolt. We have to show the level of determination to see this take place and secure all the jobs it will bring with it.”
Mr Sunak had committed earlier this year to pushing ahead with the long-awaited dualling of the A1 between Morpeth and Ellingham if he becomes Prime Minister, which Coun Sanderson said was “an essential ingredient in taking this part of the country forward”.
Asked about Labour demands for a general election to be called, the council leader replied that the British people “gave their view at the last general election that they wanted a Conservative government”. He added: “It is absolutely essential that we now have an extended period of calm and attention to detail.”
Martin Gannon, the Labour leader of Gateshead Council, was less optimistic about the new PM’s prospects – saying he would “have to be a Superman to survive until March”. Coun Gannon added: “They have rearranged the deck chairs on the Titanic. Despite the fact that they have nominated one person, the Tory party is riven with division.
“The needs of the North East are vast. The cause of levelling up is still valid and requires urgent attention. I just do not have confidence that they have any idea what levelling up means or any intention of delivering it. The solution is a general election.”
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