On Friday I visited the Eli Lilly manufacturing plant in Speke which is set to make redundancies as part of a worldwide drop in the sales of animal medicines. A division of Eli Lilly, the Speke site was the first major Penicillin producer in the world. The plant currently employs 700 people, 140 of which are expected to be affected by the job losses. I am told that new jobs will be created when medicine sales improve in the future.

I spoke directly with Company representatives who have assured me that they are working closely with workers to limit job losses. Later in the day I met with the workers and their union representatives who told me that they were pleased with the quality of discussion they were having with bosses.

While there were some concerns about the impact of job losses I am hopeful that through cooperation and discussion any job losses at Eli Lilly will be kept to a minimum and the friendly working environment that the site is known for will bemaintained.

I will continue to meet with Company and staff unions to ensure the assurances I have received from Eli Lilly are met. I stand ready to help those affected and the Company in any way that I can.