Jobs help is at hand, say politicians

As Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed a raft of ideas this week to try and ease the impact of Covid-19 lockdown, his Conservative colleagues on the ground in Montgomeryshire have highlighted some of the support available to concerned workers.

Craig Williams MP and Russell George MS, Welsh Conservative representatives for Montgomeryshire in Westminster and Cardiff, are reaching out to current and former staff of Laura Ashley Ltd and all local employees facing job insecurity.

The pair said that those facing redundancy can contact the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) with questions via nmw.employmentteam@dwp.gov.uk 

They also issued the following resources:

·      DWP Job Help Website – supporting people looking for employment during the coronavirus - www.jobhelp.dwp.gov.uk

·      ReAct Service – operated by CareersWales, they provide a package of support in gaining new skills and improves chances of returning to work. These include £1,500 towards vocational training and up to £3000 to wage costs. People can ring 0800 028 4844 or find more info at careerswales.gov.wales/

·      For people to check if their pension is affected by insolvency, they should visit www.pensionprotectionfund.co.uk and for independent advice on pensions, people can  visit www.pensionadvisoryservice.org.uk 

·      The Money Advice Service offers free and impartial advice on a range of financial matters, all of their services can be accessed by visiting www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or by calling the helpline on 0800 138 7777.

Mr Williams MP said: “At this worrying time for the current and former employees of Laura Ashley Ltd and the other local companies facing hardship, I really wanted to reach out to all those affected by job uncertainty by ensuring they have the information they need about the support that is available.

“Laura Ashley has been an institution in Montgomeryshire for decades, and nearly every family has had someone who has worked there or knows someone who has. As a major part of our local economy, the potential loss of some or all this historic business is a very serious issue for the local economy, adding to the already difficult economic conditions created by the Covid-19 global pandemic.

“I want to reassure everyone that every effort is being made to secure a future for Montgomeryshire businesses and for their employees. No one underestimates the challenges that lie ahead, but as your elected representatives both Russell and I are committed to doing what we can to help. We will never stop offering support for people under the threat of job losses and will continue to put pressure on the agencies involved in helping everyone.”

Mr George MS added: “The job losses at Laura Ashley, an iconic and major employer in Newtown – would have been headline news if it weren’t for the current pandemic. Just a few months ago, approximately 550 workers were employed by Laura Ashley in Newtown and hundreds have been made redundant since. Clearly those remaining in work are anxious, as their jobs remain in the balance.”