Redundant Corus steelworkers across England are to get help finding new jobs thanks to a £1.8 million grant from the European Social Fund (ESF), Nick Brown announced today.

The Minister for Work said: “As part of the Government’s package to help the areas hit by Corus redundancies, we have been working with the Corus unions to bid for European funding support for a programme of advice, skills analysis and retraining.

“I am very pleased to announce that the main bid for England has been successful. This £1.8 million will help Corus workers get new jobs quickly. This matches a similar amount provided by the Government and Corus.”

The £1.8 million has been granted to the Steel Partnership Training Ltd, an organisation set up by the unions to help those made redundant back into work.

It will benefit nearly 2,500 redundant steelworkers across England, including those in Teesside and Scunthorpe.

In May the Department of Trade and Industry announced a £140 million package of support for steelworkers and their communities to promote job creation and economic regeneration.