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New fears over jobs at Tote
HUNDREDS of Wigan jobs are back in the balance today after the Government announced fresh plans to sell off the Tote.
The state-owned bookmaker, which employs 500 in the town, will be put on the market this autumn. Tourism and heritage minister John Penrose told MPs that he expected to be able to update the House with news of any deal early next year.
Chancellor George Osborne announced in his June Budget an intention to find a future for the Tote which “secures value for the taxpayer” but also recognises the support it offers to horse racing.
Tote is one of the borough’s biggest employers and local MPs Lisa Nandy and Yvonne Fovargue have both already pledged to fight for jobs, fearing there may be redundancies if a rival takes over.
In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Penrose said: “The Government is now preparing to launch an open market process in the late autumn in which it will invite proposals from interested parties.
“This process will be open to all organisations who have an interest in the Tote, and the Government expects to be in a position to update the House early in the New Year.
“The Government will continue to liaise closely with the board of the Tote and with racing interests as this process unfolds.”
A previous effort to sell the Tote under Labour was cancelled in 2008 because of volatile market conditions.
Nic Coward, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Association, said: “Racing, through the BHA, has been in close dialogue with Government about resolving the future of the Tote for a number of months. A creative and modern approach is needed.”
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
