EU investigates $17 in British aid for Vauxhall plant

[Flybrian]

EU looks into British aid plan for GM's Vauxhall car plant

Associated Press | Link to Original Article @ DetNews

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Commission said today it had launched an investigation into $17 million in aid given to General Motors Corp. subsidiary Vauxhall by the British government, which was meant to offer training to workers to keep a GM plant near Liverpool viable.

EU officials said they were concerned the aid could violate EU state aid rules, adding they had doubts about its legality because the money used would go to training already being carried out by GM.

Neelie Kroes, the EU's competition commissioner said that while the EU supports training to improve work force skills, "we must make sure that the public funds do not just provide windfall profits to companies who would have paid for the training as part of their normal business."

The investigation comes after GM said last year it would cut 900 jobs at its Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port near Liverpool.

The EU said its inquiry focused on a new 2007-2012 training program planned to improve productivity at the plant.

The British government said it would subsidize the training plan to help keep the plant in operation.

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I find this so-called 'investigation' very humorous in light of the billions and billions of Euros the European Union has given to Airbus in launch aid to help them get their new airframes off the ground...well...at least try to.

[Oracle of Delphi]

My question is what cars do the build at the Vauxhall? The last time I looked most were rebadged Opels with the exception of the VXR8 from my dear friends at Holden.

Edited July 11, 2007 by Pontiac Custom-S

[loki]

headline---- $17 , wow, isn't that like 9 pounds?