This morning I heard the devastating news that British Sugar is consulting on the closure of their factory at Cantley. The factory has been at the heart of the sugar beet industry in Norfolk for over a century and drives a significant part of our farming economy.
More than 100 local people work at Cantley. All of them will be fearful for their future. I am urgently seeking a meeting with the management of British Sugar, and making contact with the Department of Works and Pensions to ensure that as much support is provided to these local people as possible. I will also be speaking to NFU Sugar to see how the wider impact on Norfolk farming can be minimised.
Right now my focus is on people. But, in time, we will need to understand the role that the Government’s energy policies have had in driving this energy intensive business into the ground. A change of course is desperately needed.
