Written question asked by Helen Jones (Labour) on Monday, 16 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 January 2006. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Thursday, 19 January 2006 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Job Losses (Warrington)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what support his Department will provide to people in Warrington who lose their jobs as a result of the closure of the Safeway distribution centre.

Answer: Funding has been approved to enable the Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Service to support the Safeway workers in a variety of ways. A Skills Training Analysis will be conducted to assess individuals' existing skills and to identify specific needs in relation to further employment. In addition, funding will enable the provision of job focused training if not available from other sources or Jobcentre Plus partners.Specific funding has also been allocated to enable Jobcentre Plus staff within the affected district to assist individuals through this process, giving information, advice and guidance.Additionally, Jobcentre Plus staff are working closely with the company to provide help by:"attending planning meetings with the company's Human Resources team;""holding one to one briefing sessions for affected staff;""placing financial advisers with the company, initially for two weeks;""holding a mini Jobsfair at the company;""conducting interviews for claiming benefit on the company premises and issuing all relevant paperwork;""making arrangements to take claims on Saturday mornings at the Jobcentre;""arranging for personal advisers to contact staff currently off sick to offer assistance."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 43242; 441 c1563-4W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Closures Finance Government assistance Jobcentre Plus Redundancy Safeway Warrington
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk