Jobcentre Plus, the insolvency trade body R3 and the Insolvency Service are to develop a system to pool information about possible job losses in struggling companies, which aims to help to ensure that people threatened with redundancy are offered support quickly and efficiently.
 
The organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding today which outlines how insolvency practitioners dealing with struggling businesses will work with Jobcentre Plus offices to develop a tailor-made plan for each situation.

Those affected by redundancy will then be given access to information and services that will help them claim benefits, identify new job opportunities or get access to training.

Employment minister, Jim Knight MP, said: “It is important that we don’t just wait for someone to lose their job before we start to help them. The pre-redundancy service Jobcentre Plus offers has helped thousands of people get new jobs quickly – stopping a short-term difficulty becoming a long-term problem.  

“It is essential that we work with R3 and the Insolvency Service to make sure even more people get help before they are out of work. I am hugely grateful to Phil Wilson and R3 in facilitating this agreement.”

The agreement has been developed by Jobcentre Plus, R3, the Insolvency Service and Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, who set out practical steps each organisation could take to help employees when they face redundancy and strengthen their relationship.

The agreement was signed by Jim Knight MP, minister for the department for work and pensions, Ian Lucas MP, minister for the department of business, innovation and skills, Phil Wilson MP for Sedgefield, Peter Sargent, president of R3, Stephen Speed chief executive of the Insolvency Service, and Sue Veszpremi, head of employer engagement at Jobcentre Plus.