MP will fight for Corus workers
SCUNTHORPE MP Elliot Morley has pledged to fight for the future of workers made redundant at Corus after talks with the key players.
The steel giant, owned by Indian firm Tata, announced last week it would be cutting another 500 jobs in Scunthorpe to try to survive the recession.
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Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley.
Mr Morley said he wants to work with Yorkshire Forward and the Government to make sure opportunities for retraining and new jobs are in place at Corus as soon as possible.
He said: "Yorkshire Forward is going to set up a task force to assist people at Corus who are taking redundancy.
"They will set up a facility on site and work with management, unions, the job centre and other agencies.
"There will be specialist advice for people or retraining, setting up on their own and other job opportunities and what help may be available for them.
"The Jobcentre has received some more funding to help them deal with the current situation. I will be having more talks next week."
Yorkshire Forward chief executive Tom Riordan added his support to the job seekers, pledging his organisation would help where it could.
He said: "This news is a real blow for our region and our thoughts are with all the individuals and families affected by this news.
"I want to reassure them we are ready to provide support to those who need it during these times."
The Government announced on Thursday it would be making £5-million available to help people affected by the job cuts announced at Corus.
At the same time, business minister Pat McFadden said Corus remained a nationally-important company, employing about 20,000 in the UK.
About 2,000 people across the country will lose their jobs following the latest round of cuts provoked, the company said, by the failure of steel orders to return to expected levels.
The firm insists it has to restructure until order book levels return to more usual volumes.
The latest cuts follow an earlier round of redundancies in January, when 93 workers in Scunthorpe lost their jobs.
18 Comments
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by c0ru5 fr33m450n5, c0ru5th0rp3
Monday, June 29 2009, 7:39PM
“doesn't sound like there is much to this story but soundbites & PR. unfortunately too late for our dishonourable friend.
it will be interesting news when tata tell us how much their 'executives' are getting paid. it would be more interesting if we knew what funny handshake deals have been going on at corus scunthorpe;)”
by bartonion, barton
Monday, June 29 2009, 7:27PM
“So Morleys pal Gordon is pledging £1 billion for the unemployed in the recession,my question is "WHERE FROM" perhaps Morleys going to give him a sub”
by Mel Burke, scunthorpe
Monday, June 29 2009, 5:55PM
“Morley promised to help me and the other 160 who worked at mondi and did nothing,but anybody would think corus is the only employer in scunthorpe,what about all the other firms that are closing down or laying people off in this town there is no help for them so why should corus workers get special treatment,this town is called scunthorpe not corusthorpe.”
by skint, scunny
Monday, June 29 2009, 4:59PM
“We`ve heard it all before from Morley, most recently after the first round of Corus cuts ande when Hypac got rid of all of those jobs.
Morley just go”
by Oldie, Lysaghts
Monday, June 29 2009, 4:04PM
“20,000 steelworkers in UK? I remember 24,000, in Scunny, mostly poorly paid though, due to bent unions.”