Steelworkers in Rotherham hit by Tata Steel’s recently-announced job cuts have been promised a £9 million support package.

The money, which is being put together by partners across the Sheffield City Region, will help the 490 workers facing redundancy, as well as related businesses likely to be hit hard amid the cuts.

Coun Chris Read, Rotherham Council leader, has the backing of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership for a joint action plan to help the area.

John Healey, MP for Wentworth and the Dearne, will also lobby the Government for further support.

Coun Read said: “Workers in Rotherham who are facing redundancy will want to know that we are doing everything to support them and help them back to work.

“This is a very difficult time for them and their families and I am determined that we will do all that we can.

“Companies in the supply chain will feel the impact too, and we will also be working to support these businesses, and their employees, as a key part of this plan.”

He added: “Now Tata Steel has confirmed 720 jobs will go in speciality steels – including 685 in Rotherham and Stocksbridge – we need the Government to step up too so together we can offer around £9m of support.

“This is what our committed workers deserve. We need the Government to help us to help them.”

Earlier this month we reported that Tata Steel announced it would push ahead with hundreds of job losses in Rotherham after rejecting alternative plans by independent experts.

Bosses then confirmed the bombshell plan to shed 720 jobs in the bar business.

 

thestar.co.uk

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