Biscuit workers to be offered training (From Wirral Globe)

Biscuit workers to be offered training

4:29pm Wednesday 6th June 2007 in News By Kelly Barker

A SPECIAL government task force will be drafted in if more than 800 jobs are axed from Burton's Foods.

Wallasey MP Angela Eagle said that the team will provide support if biscuit production at the Moreton site collapses.

At a parliamentary meeting this week, employment minister Jim Murphy said that his department will help to extend training packages and develop the skills of the workforce.

But Angela Eagle said that the biscuit battle will commence, with the task force being a back up plan in the event of a "worst case scenario."

She said: "The special task force will be ready to swing into action if the worst was to happen and over 800 people lose their jobs.

"A similar team helped MG Rover workers when the company announced 700 redundancies in 2005.

"The special task force will be ready to swing into action if the worst was to happen and over 800 people lose their jobs."

Angela Eagle

" I am pleased with the ministerial response from the meeting but as always, our first option is to persuade Burton's to reverse their decision.

"Failing that, partner agencies will consider turning the site into a massive business park."

Last week, the makers of Wagon Wheels announced that the proposed 660 job loss toll will rise to 821 after admitting a mistake in the figures.

The blunder came to light when a revised redundancy notice was issued to trade unions amid the company's turbulent 90-day consultation period.