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CORUS JOBS CRISIS: MPs launch campaigns in fight to save jobs
LABOUR and Liberal Democrat MPs yesterday launched campaigns in Sheffield to save the jobs of steelworkers in Stocksbridge.
Politicians from both parties called for the Government to increase the 5 million pledged to help redundancy-threatened workers.
READ MORE: CORUS JOBS CRISIS: Steel industry has a future, says Mandelson - PHOTOS
Corus is to axe 379 staff at Stocksbridge, 377 at Rotherham and 45 at Brinsworth, in addition to 700 cut in Rotherham in January.
Liberal Democrat leader and Sheffield Hallam MP Nick Clegg said: "Under the Tories the coal industry in this area died a death, and now the clock is ticking on the steel industry.
"We need to act quickly to ensure Corus is given all the help it can to save jobs.
"Obviously the days of subsidies are gone, and there is no magic wand to save these jobs, but the 5m pledged is a drop in the ocean.
"We need the Government to help the steelworkers by offering tax incentives, increasing money on training, and streamlining the money that is available."
Stocksbridge mayor Coun Alison Brelsford said: "This town was built around the steel mill. It's been there for more than 100 years. To lose all these jobs is a disaster."
Labour MPs launched a petition to persuade the Government to invest in the steel industry as it has in the financial and banking sectors.
Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn said: "At the moment there is decreased demand for steel globally, but the economy will pick up, and when it does we need to ensure Stocksbridge still has the skilled workforce to fulfil demand.
"This is the first time we are in a position to manage change, and we have to take the opportunity to ensure there is an uplift in skills."
Attercliffe MP Clive Betts said: "It would be a disaster if demand came back and Corus in this area didn't have the workers to produce enough steel. It is absolutely essential workers are kept on and skills are not lost." Politicians from both parties said it was vital that Corus be allowed to sell a piece of land next to the Stocksbridge plant, currently reserved for industrial use.
Council leader Paul Scriven said the council is currently holding consultations with Corus to change the designation to mixed use, which would enable it to sell the land for housing.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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