HC Deb 11 February 2002 vol 380 cc109-10W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to assist individuals made redundant as a result of the downturn in the airline industry; and if he will make a statement. [27548]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

[holding answer 23 January 2002]: The Rapid Response Service supports communities affected by redundancy and helps people make the transition into sustainable new jobs. This service will receive an additional £6 million over the next two years. This extra investment will boost the support offered and enable us to work even more effectively with employers to match people to new jobs.

As well as the support of the Rapid Response Service, people made redundant can benefit from the wide range of help and advice on offer through jobcentres to enable them to move into work. We already have well established on-site jobcentres at Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester airports. Most people who lose their job are able to find another one quickly from among over 10,000 new vacancies that are notified to the Employment Service every working day.