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Jobs losses: MP calls for inquiry
WITH the loss of 1,500 jobs after Simonstone computer manufacturer Granville Technology announced it had gone into administration, Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, has called on the Department of Trade and Industry to carry out a full investigation into the reason behind the collapse.
Speaking from Westminster, Mr Evans said: "This is a blow to the area and will come as grim news to the workforce. Many of the workers were handed their redundancy notice with no prospect of holiday pay. I am also concerned that other, smaller, local suppliers may lose out should Granville Technology, through their trading names Tiny Computers and Time Computers, owe them money through their services.
"I want the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate why it is that the company had not issued any figures since June 2003, when the company had made a profit of 2.5m and a turn-over of 207m. I want to know which members of the board knew that the company was in dire straits and when they knew. I also want to know what steps were taken to try and seek assistance from either the Department of Trade and Industry or other Government agencies prior to the announcement being made.
"I have called on the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Trade and Industry to get involved with job centres and local authorities in the area in order that full assistance can be given to those who have lost their jobs with either alternative work in the area, or with other firms coming into the region.
"Many within the workforce will be highly trained and must be given every assistance to retrain as a matter of urgency in order to seek fresh employment."
Offers of help have flooded in for the East Lancashire workers left jobless by last week's shock collapse of the Granville Technology Group.
Some 600 people were given no notice that they were to lose their jobs at the Simonstone-based company's premises.
This week, a Nelson-based company, Daisy Communications, brought forward its planned recruitment drive, starting an immediate search for around 50 workers.
Meanwhile, JobCentre Plus and other agencies are liaising with the workers.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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