Update on Cleveland Potash. Release from Redcar and Cleveland Council .

While our MP talks and Twitters a Labour Council Acts.

PRESS RELEASE 10 January 2018

PARTNERS WORK TOGETHER TO PUT SUPPORT IN PLACE FOR WORKERS FACING REDUNDANCY AT BOULBY MINE

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council have today committed to working with partners across the area to put in place the support needed for the workers that may be made redundant following last week’s announcement at Boulby Mine.

ICL UK Ltd announced last week that 230 jobs are likely to be lost at the mine by June this year.

Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council Councillor Sue Jeffrey said, “We are already working with our partners at DWP, Job Centre Plus as well as Scarborough Borough Council and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to ensure that a comprehensive support package is in place for the affected workers.

Whilst we are just at the beginning of the consultation period we know from our experience at SSI that we need to offer help as soon as we can to make the biggest impact. A team of advisors will be available locally to offer support around CV writing, upskilling and training as well as financial and benefits advice as soon as required.

“In addition, I know for example that it is likely that the SSI Task Force legacy fund will provide support for workers wanting to set up their own business. I will also continue to look to see if we can secure further support or funding to assist these workers back into paid employment.”

Dorothy Bowmaker, from Jobcentre Plus said: “We are ready to support any workers affected, working alongside the council through our Rapid Response Service, which is designed to give both the employer and employees support and advice. This aims to address the impact of job losses on workers and on the local community by helping people move into new jobs as quickly as possible”.

The support we offer can include:

· helping people facing redundancy to update CVs and find jobs
· providing general information about benefits
· helping people identify their transferable skills and training needs
· help on skills training, through local training programmes and through our partnerships
· setting up on-site job fairs, and advice on becoming self-employed
· helping with costs such as travel to work expenses
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