General Chat

So the last British manufacturer of washing machines will close in July and take their factory to Poland. Isnt it time there was some penalty inflicted on these firms, such as being unable to import into UK? We are turning into the kind of country that will need aid, but we are still offering it to others.

I lot of these firms get subsidies etc and get allowed to build on green field sites and then as soon as they can get more subsidies some where else they go for an off shore site.
angela

Dear All

This is a very bad state of affairs for our manufacturing industry.

I remember when the last tin mine was closed in Cornwall. I think it was about 1986.

The trouble now is that there are no growth industries any more in the UK.

Best wishes
xx

We had an Indesit and this time bought a Hotpoint when the Indesit died, we were told that they are one and the same company now, or if I have got that wrong, that Indesit were part of a larger company, sure it was Hotpoint tho.

Not so keen on this new machine, the wool cycle is not good and I am planning to phone up about it as it is still under guarantee.

Fed up with everything being made abroad and exploiting cheap labour there, how bad is it for the environment to ship back so many items like heavy washers etc

It must be affecting companies like the one o.h. works at which makes corrugated cardboard packaging as not so much needed here now.

Lizx

So many of the imports are really shoddy goods too. We are letting so many into the country from all over the world and there are no jobs or houses for them, all our greenfield sites are disappearing and the NHS is overwelmed with work. When will we get a govmt that takes notice. Didnt like him much when he was at the top, but come back Neil Kinnock, old labour.

This is very sad for the area I live in. Hotpoint had a factory in Llandudno Junction, this closed a number of years ago with the loss of many local jobs although some were able to transfer to the factory you mention. Apparently there are only four employees (according to our local paper) with less than 20 years service.

This is already an unemployment blackspot with many people having to rely on seasonal jobs, during the tourist season. I know of at least four families in the small holiday town where I live with the husband working for Indesit and the wife has a part time seasonal job. A sad day for us all.

It's about time this country started looking out for it's own. Too many jobs are being outsourced to other countries with cheaper labour and big subsidies.

Even tradesmen's hourly rates are bring decreased at an alarming rate, some of them only about £1 above minimum wage!

Perhaps we could out-source the Government positions particularly as wages abroad are much lower. Then we wouldn't have to worry about expenses being fiddled either. A win-win situation!

Do any of you remember John Bloom ? He sold washing machines door to door on HP. Quicly became a millionaire..

He had a factory making them for him as they were required. Within a year or twp every home had one.

Well I am very proud to announce that this year the company I work for
( we sell kitchens, Joinery & white goods) decided that they would only stock British products wherever possible.

At the moment only relatively minor components ( hinges etc ) have to be sourced from elsewhere. British goods are still avaliable unfortunately you have to look hard to find them.


Claire xxx

I remember John Bloom, a very clever young man as he was then I think extremely young. Same type of person as Richard Branson.