Express & Star

British Gas Oldbury jobs: MP calls for more support for workers

John Spellar has accused the Government of reneging on its promise to set up a taskforce to support workers affected by the proposed closure of British Gas's Oldbury offices.

Published

The Swallowfield One site has been earmarked for closure by the energy giant to cut costs, a move which could see 680 jobs go.

Following the announcement the Prime Minister told the Commons that a ministerial taskforce would be set up to enter discussions with the company.

But Labour's Warley MP, Mr Spellar, said the taskforce would be made up of members of Sandwell Council, Dudley Council and the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, with ministers playing 'little more than a background role'.

"The idea is that ministers will have contact with a taskforce to be set up locally," he said.

"I do not think that that matches up to the assurance from the Prime Minister. I am writing to Sajid Javid to raise my concerns. They need to put a lot more energy into this.

"What discussions are they having with the owner of the building? The Government is not being as active as it should be, which is extremely disappointing."

"There needs to be a real drive to keep or to replace these jobs."

British Gas bosses say staff at the site, which operates as an office and call centre, could be subject to a phased redundancy programme ending in December if plans to close the site are rubber stamped.

The 684 job losses are understood to be part of thousands of job cuts announced last year by parent company Centrica, amid falling profits in British Gas's services division.

Over the last week the Minister for Small Business Anna Soubry and Employment Minister Priti Patel met with bosses at British Gas.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid, said: "Job losses, whenever they are announced, are regrettable, as they of course are in this case, which is why we must do everything we can."

He added: "I understand that the redundancies are not final yet. The consultation period is still going on, so let us hope that they are not as bad as those that have been seen.

"We will continue to do whatever we can, and that includes contact with the company."

Unite said British Gas was looking at relocating its Oldbury operation between Glasgow, Leicester and Stockport, with plans to create further roles at those sites.

Last month's closure announcement came as a major shock, coming just weeks after talks had started to increase car parking space at the site due to high staffing levels.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.