SPECIAL REPORT: Worcester's biggest employers unite to back 'Remain' in EU referendum

Worcester Bosch, Yamazaki Mazak, the University of Worcester and Heart of Worcestershire College employ more than 3,500 people locally.

Now, in a significant intervention on the referendum, all four reveal they worry for Britain's fortunes and that of Worcester under a Brexit.

We can reveal:

- Worcester Bosch, which employs 1,000 people in the city, says it believes staying in the EU will be a "key driver" for the future of the economy and its own prospects

- Mazak, which has more than 500 workers at its European production site in Warndon, says "85 per cent" of business comes from the EU and its future strategy is based on Britain staying in

- Stuart Laverick, Heart of Worcestershire College's principal, says he fears a Brexit is "too great a risk" for the county's young people

- The University of Worcester's vice-chancellor Professor David Green and Rev Peter Atkinson, the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, say they fear the city's economic, cultural and social prosperity is at stake

Until now many of the city's major employers have stayed out the debate - even a chamber of commerce poll last month revealed how 35 per cent of Worcestershire and Herefordshire businesses were either backing 'Leave' or undecided.

But in recent days fears around the economy have pushed polls towards the 'Remain' side, resulting in some of Worcester's household names speaking out.

Marcus Burton, European managing director at Yamazaki Mazak, the Japanese machine tools company with its UK base in Badgeworth Drive, Warndon, said: "It's in the best interests of Mazak for the UK to remain in.

"Mazak is a significant inward investor into the UK, and is the European headquarters for one of the world's leading manufacturers of machine tools.

"The European production site is based in Worcester, employing more than 500 people.

"Since opening in 1987 we've manufactured more than 25,000 machine tools in our Worcester facility with over 85 per cent being exported to Europe.

"Remaining in the EU is important for our future strategy."

Worcester Bosch, which employs 1,800 people at two sites in Derbyshire and Worcester, including 1,000 its city HQ in Cotswold Way, said: "Bosch believes the European Union, despite some shortcomings, continues to be a key driver of prosperity for member states.

"It would be pleased if the UK chose to continue its membership."

Mr Laverick revealed the Heart of Worcestershire College, which employs 900 staff across its two sites, is also desperate for the same outcome.

"For skills and investment in jobs the EU provides valuable certainty and there is too great a risk in coming out for the future of our young people," he said.

"At the college we want what's best for the people we serve and from all the evidence I have seen I'm convinced it's better to stay in and press for further reform than come out."

The statements have been leapt upon by Worcester MP Robin Walker, who says it backs up concerns about the economic shock of a Brexit after the Treasury controversially claimed 800,000 jobs could be lost.

"I know there'll be some who reject all this evidence, and all these arguments but I would just ask them to think whether it's responsible to do so," he said.

"With local job figures close to record lows and still falling I want more jobs, more investment and more apprenticeships in Worcester and I think a 'Remain' vote would help achieve this."

But the claims have infuriated the official 'Leave' camp, with Boris Johnson accusing pro-EU politicians of "scaremongering" and pumping out unrivalled "propaganda" not seen since 1992.

The Treasury said in the worst case scenario GDP will fall by six per cent, house prices by 18 per cent and the deficit will rise by £39 billion.

The value of the pound, the Treasury says, will fall by 15 per cent.

Eurosceptic MPs have reacted furiously to the report. 

Tory MP and 'Leave' campaigner Bernard Jenkin said: "Does not the Government's entire campaign just reinforce the unfortunate impression that today's political leaders will say anything they think will help them get what they want, whether it is true or not?

"The Chancellor and the Prime Minister are contributing to cynicism about politics, in the sense that voters should not trust their rulers but should make their own choice and their own judgment."

A poll today revealed how the economic concerns is leading to older men and Tory voters to desert the 'Leave' camp.

Conducted for the Daily Telegraph, it found that the Remain campaign now has a 13-point lead with just one month until the referendum.

It puts 'Remain' on 55 per cent and 'Leave' trailing on 42 per cent, among people who definitely intend to vote.

HEATED DEBATE AT WORCESTER PUB

UNIVERSITY of Worcester's vice-chancellor has revealed how the fear of war is one driver for his personal EU backing.

Professor David Green said his own great grandma "committed suicide" after so many of her family members had lost their lives during world war conflict.

He said as well as the economic benefits of allowing freedom of movement for students and other working people, he views the bloc as "a wonderful achievement for peace".

It came during a heated debate at Worcester's Cap 'N' Gown pub last night, where he was heckled vociferously by several anti-EU audience members.

During the event Rev Peter Atkinson, the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, made a similar argument for the EU but James Goad, UKIP's parliamentary candidate at last year's General Election in the city, called it a "failed body".

Professor Green said: "The EU has made a great contribution to peace and democracy for the European people."

He said during previous world war conflicts "all the members of my family fought against Nazis one way or the other", citing his great grandmother's fate.

He also argued for the economic benefits of the EU, saying unemployment is at "an all-time low" of 1.5 million and most employers struggle to find staff.

Rev Atkinson criticised the whole tone of the EU debate being "negative", saying too much of it was around "what deal we can get out of it".

He said "in isolation, we are diminished" and called the EU "infinitely preferable to the way Europe settled its differences before" via war.

But the arguments were savaged by Mr Goad, who said wages were being compressed due to "mass migration".

"The economy has been recovering fairly healthily, with growth around two per cent on average, and profits are up among businesses," he said.

"But wages have been stagnant, wealth is where it was 10 years ago and mass migration is to blame."

At one point after Mr Goad criticised Turkey's Government, calling them "fascists" and saying "despot Turks" could be a part of the EU Professor Green said "it's a good job you didn't become the MP for Worcester".

Mr Goad also argued that immigration was no bad thing, as long as it was controlled.

"We can still have immigration, we just need to be more selective - that would lead to a more prosperous economy," he said.

He said under the current free movement too many "low skilled or unskilled" had come in, saying the only benefit was "cheaper nannies and plumbers" for the middle classes.

A former solider and Worcester resident Frank Anderson also took part in the debate, backing the 'out' camp.