Member Article

SSI Task Force support exceeds £35m

The SSI Task Force has secured more than £35m as they continue to deliver support to workers who lost their jobs at the Redcar steelworks, which closed last month.

Four new funding packages, as part of the up to £80m Government support fund, will be available to help redundant employees deal with the impact of losing their jobs and help them find new employment.

Grant support will also be made available to help on-site contractors and supply chain companies in the Tees Valley cope with effect of the plant’s closure on their business.

The latest SSI Task Force funding approval includes a £16.5m Jobs and Skills Fund to help local firms employ former SSI workers or their spouses in full-time or part-time jobs for a minimum of three years

There is also £16m support for firms in the SSI supply chain and wider Tees Valley impacted by the Redcar steelworks closure, to safeguard jobs, provide the stimulus to create new posts and provide expert assistance to help them expand their business

The Task Force has revealed a £2.4m Safety Net Fund to help SSI workers deal with the immediate financial impact of the plant’s closure if they find themselves in crisis, for example if they are at risk of losing their home

Workers affected are also given access to a £750,000 fund, advice and grants to start up a new business.

This latest round of funding follows on from £7.3m of task force support approved last week, which included £1.7m to enable 50 former SSI apprentices to complete their training with other local companies.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “The Government support we’ve made available will make a difference. They can get help with funding for reskilling and college courses or get advice on starting up a business.

“Employers are being paid to take on the SSI apprentices and now firms in the area with the potential to grow or take on SSI workers can also apply. We have now approved £40 million for SSI taskforce proposals and we are determined to work hard to boost growth and jobs in the Tees Valley.”

Amanda Skelton, Chair of the SSI Task Force and Chief Executive of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “The Task Force is committed to getting this money through to communities as soon as possible so it can start to make a difference. It is important that recovery work with our local employers and businesses starts as soon as possible and these funds will help to kick start that process.”

Links to all the funds, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found at www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/taskforce.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .