KEETCH DEMANDS ASSURANCES AFTER POWER JOB LOSS ANNOUNCEMENT

12.00.00pm GMT Tue 24th Feb 2004

Hereford's Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch says he's concerned about the reliability of future power supply in Herefordshire after Powergen announced expected job cuts at their Hereford office. The news comes after Powergen bought Midlands Electricity.

"There is a history of power supply problems throughout Herefordshire and electricity customers need to be assured that these job cuts will not result in poorer service or slower response to incidents", said Mr Keetch.

"The MD of Powergen has assured us that there will be no impact on front line delivery, but such assurances will be treated sceptically by those whose lives are often affected by poor electricity supply. Some improvements were made by Aquila after the problems a few years ago, especially on the Doward, and we will monitor Powergen's performance closely.

"These job loses are another blow to the economy of Herefordshire and they come at a difficult time. This is again why we need to attract new investment into Herefordshire and the local Council must up its game in attracting public and private investment."