Sad news from Newhaven. Parker Pens plans to lay off 200 people from its Newhaven factory. It’s another blow to Newhaven and is very bad news for the families affected.

That many of these jobs are moving out of Newhaven to Birmingham is also disappointing. Action is urgently needed to ensure Newhaven continues to keep jobs and attract new employers and that’s why I want to see a Newhaven Development Corporation created. This corporation would help revive the town economically.

I just hope some way can be found to keep the jobs in Newhaven during Parker’s 90-day consultation on its plans.