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Crossrail trains contract 'should benefit UK' £1bn Crossrail trains contract race open
(1 day later)
The government will prioritise bids for the £1bn contract to supply Crossrail trains to firms that "benefit Britain". The government has opened competition for the £1bn contract to supply Crossrail trains.
Ministers say they will take account of the number of jobs and the investment companies will make in the UK when awarding the contract. The Derby-based Bombardier factory is up against German company Siemens, CAF of Spain and Hitachi of Japan.
They believe this will not fall foul of EU rules, suggesting France and Germany already operate similar clauses. The opening of the bidding process follows a controversial decision to give the £1.6bn contract for Thameslink trains to Siemens.
It follows a controversial decision to give the £1.6bn contract for Thameslink trains to German company Siemens. Bombardier, which lost out on that contract last year, then announced 1,400 job losses.
Derby-based Bombardier, which lost out on that contract last year, then announced 1,400 job losses.
It is now a battle with three international rival companies to build 60 trains for Crossrail.
'Millions of passengers'
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said she was "keen to understand and communicate the benefit of this contract to the UK economy".Transport Secretary Justine Greening said she was "keen to understand and communicate the benefit of this contract to the UK economy".
Announcing the tendering of the contract, she said: "This is an important step in making Crossrail a reality for millions of passengers who will use it every week.Announcing the tendering of the contract, she said: "This is an important step in making Crossrail a reality for millions of passengers who will use it every week.
"Once these 60 trains are operational, they will carry an additional 1.5 million people, help the growth of the UK economy and create opportunities for new apprenticeships and jobs.""Once these 60 trains are operational, they will carry an additional 1.5 million people, help the growth of the UK economy and create opportunities for new apprenticeships and jobs."
She continued: "A number of outcomes from the government's review of public procurement have been reflected in this procurement, which could bring opportunities to UK businesses.She continued: "A number of outcomes from the government's review of public procurement have been reflected in this procurement, which could bring opportunities to UK businesses.
"This includes a 'responsible procurement' requirement that means bidders will need to set out how they will provide opportunities for training, apprenticeships and for small and medium-size businesses.""This includes a 'responsible procurement' requirement that means bidders will need to set out how they will provide opportunities for training, apprenticeships and for small and medium-size businesses."
Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle said: "It is vital that major public procurement such as this is used to provide a boost to British jobs and growth, particularly at a time of rising unemployment.Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary Maria Eagle said: "It is vital that major public procurement such as this is used to provide a boost to British jobs and growth, particularly at a time of rising unemployment.
Thameslink 'fiasco'Thameslink 'fiasco'
"Today's decision proves that Labour has been right all along to argue that the government could have restarted the Thameslink procurement to include a requirement for local jobs and training.""Today's decision proves that Labour has been right all along to argue that the government could have restarted the Thameslink procurement to include a requirement for local jobs and training."
Bob Crow, leader of the RMT transport union, said: "We will be monitoring the Crossrail process closely for any repeat of the Thameslink fiasco.Bob Crow, leader of the RMT transport union, said: "We will be monitoring the Crossrail process closely for any repeat of the Thameslink fiasco.
"We expect engineering excellence and socio-economic factors to be top of the tendering criteria to give Bombardier a proper chance this time around, unlike the loaded Thameslink scandal.""We expect engineering excellence and socio-economic factors to be top of the tendering criteria to give Bombardier a proper chance this time around, unlike the loaded Thameslink scandal."