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Steel job loss area gets £60m aid | Steel job loss area gets £60m aid |
(about 19 hours later) | |
The government has announced a £60m aid package to help Teesside recover from the loss of 1,700 jobs at the Corus steelworks plant in Redcar. | The government has announced a £60m aid package to help Teesside recover from the loss of 1,700 jobs at the Corus steelworks plant in Redcar. |
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said it would offer "direct and immediate" help to the workers who face losing their jobs at Teesside Cast Products. | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said it would offer "direct and immediate" help to the workers who face losing their jobs at Teesside Cast Products. |
He said £30m would be invested in low carbon and advanced manufacturing industries to create more jobs. | |
Union bosses said the money would be better "aimed at saving the plant". | Union bosses said the money would be better "aimed at saving the plant". |
The site's closure will end 150 years of steel production in the area. | The site's closure will end 150 years of steel production in the area. |
The plant's future was placed in jeopardy last year when a consortium pulled out of a long-term deal to buy its steel. | The plant's future was placed in jeopardy last year when a consortium pulled out of a long-term deal to buy its steel. |
The government should do everything possible to keep a steelmaking infrastructure in Teesside Derek SimpsonJoint leader of Unite | The government should do everything possible to keep a steelmaking infrastructure in Teesside Derek SimpsonJoint leader of Unite |
The government said the aid package could create up to 3,000 new jobs in the short to medium term and sustain over 10,000 jobs in the long term. | The government said the aid package could create up to 3,000 new jobs in the short to medium term and sustain over 10,000 jobs in the long term. |
Lord Mandleson, speaking after a meeting with the area's business and political leaders, said the investment was designed to help the area's transition beyond traditional heavy industry. | Lord Mandleson, speaking after a meeting with the area's business and political leaders, said the investment was designed to help the area's transition beyond traditional heavy industry. |
He said: "Teesside has the skills, the workforce and the infrastructure to compete in future advanced and low carbon manufacturing. | He said: "Teesside has the skills, the workforce and the infrastructure to compete in future advanced and low carbon manufacturing. |
"We're acting to ensure they have the best support to succeed." | "We're acting to ensure they have the best support to succeed." |
'Steel demand' | 'Steel demand' |
He said £10m would be spent on providing apprenticeships and support for Corus workers who went on to start new businesses after losing their jobs. | He said £10m would be spent on providing apprenticeships and support for Corus workers who went on to start new businesses after losing their jobs. |
He said up to £20m would be invested in the nearby Wilton International site, the other major employer in the area. | He said up to £20m would be invested in the nearby Wilton International site, the other major employer in the area. |
Derek Simpson, joint leader of the Unite union, said the scale of the job losses required much more support for Teesside. | Derek Simpson, joint leader of the Unite union, said the scale of the job losses required much more support for Teesside. |
He said: "Financial support would be best aimed at saving the Corus works. | He said: "Financial support would be best aimed at saving the Corus works. |
"The government should do everything possible to keep a steelmaking infrastructure in Teesside and preserve the valuable skills of the workforce for when the demand for steel increases, which it will inevitably do." | "The government should do everything possible to keep a steelmaking infrastructure in Teesside and preserve the valuable skills of the workforce for when the demand for steel increases, which it will inevitably do." |