News from Sheffield Labour

Sheffield MP tells council to make Stocksbridge a priority

Angela Smith tells Council bosses to fulfill their promises to help Corus.

In a busy week, local MP Angela Smith has called on Sheffield City Council to make Stocksbridge a priority and open talks with Corus to help the company deal with surplus land.

The surplus land around the site is designated for housing development and could help the company rationalise its land holding, helping the company cut costs. However, the MP was disappointed to hear that despite the loss of 379 jobs and promises to do all it could to help, the Council don’t see the area as a priority. This the MP believes needs to change, and change quickly.

Angela has also held further talks with Ministers and with Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency. She has asked the RDA to ensure that employment support is made available not only for those made redundant who directly work for Corus, but for all those who lose their jobs as a consequence of the scaling back of the Corus operation. She would like this service to be set up as quickly as possible, giving help to those who lose their jobs as soon as possible.

During a Parliamentary debate on the job losses she told the government that while she welcomed its £5 million training package to help Corus with skills retention, it was only a start and more must be forthcoming to help the company through these difficult times.

Commenting on her busy week, Angela said:

“I was dismayed to find that despite making promises to help Corus the council has so far refused to change the priority of the surplus land around the site. Changing the priority of the land will help the company rationalize its land holdings and reduce costs. I have written to council asking they change this priority and start full filling their promises, and to do this immediately.

“I have also told the government that while the £5milion for skills retention for the company is welcome, it’s not enough and needs to be increased. I have also told Yorkshire Forward that the area needs a taskforce to help those who have lost their jobs, I am hopeful this will be set up soon.

“I welcome the help from Yorkshire Forward and the Government but it is important everyone does what they can.”

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• Sport England provides £10m for 'Active Universities' - 12 March 2010
• Clive Betts MP hits the ground running for Sport Relief - 11 March 2010
• Angela Smith MP welcomes dangerous dogs announcement - 10 March 2010