Council leaders are "deeply disturbed" by the impact 850 job losses at BMW's Mini Plant in Oxfordshire will have on the local economy.
Council leaders are "deeply disturbed" by the impact 850 job losses at BMW's Mini Plant in Oxfordshire will have on the local economy.
Casual staff at the Cowley site were laid off with immediate effect on Monday when BMW scrapped weekend working.
Casual staff at the Cowley site were laid off with immediate effect on Monday when BMW scrapped weekend working.
Local councils and government agencies have set up a task force to help.
Local councils and government agencies have set up a task force to help.
Oxford City Council's leader Bob Price said: "This is a major blow to the local economy."
Oxford City Council's leader Bob Price said: "This is a major blow to the local economy."
He said: "We are deeply disturbed for the workers concerned of the suddenness of the news and the impact of the job losses on their families."
He said: "We are deeply disturbed for the workers concerned of the suddenness of the news and the impact of the job losses on their families."
'Some urgency'
'Some urgency'
Oxfordshire County Council's leader, Keith Mitchell, said the job losses could have a wider effect.
Oxfordshire County Council's leader, Keith Mitchell, said the job losses could have a wider effect.
"In addition to the agency workers at BMW, there is every danger that there may be job losses along the supply chain into BMW and we need to be ready with support and advice on benefits, on re-skilling and on job opportunities very quickly."
"In addition to the agency workers at BMW, there is every danger that there may be job losses along the supply chain into BMW and we need to be ready with support and advice on benefits, on re-skilling and on job opportunities very quickly."
The city and county councils will work with Job Centre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and the South East England Development Agency to set up a service to help the sacked workers.
The city and county councils will work with Job Centre Plus, the Learning and Skills Council and the South East England Development Agency to set up a service to help the sacked workers.
Mr Mitchell said there was also a plan to open a job club in Oxford, similar to one started in Banbury.
Mr Mitchell said there was also a plan to open a job club in Oxford, similar to one started in Banbury.
"Given the news from BMW, there is clearly some urgency in getting this up and running.
"Given the news from BMW, there is clearly some urgency in getting this up and running.
"I am determined that we work together to support our local workforce to ensure that Oxfordshire leads the way out of recession."
"I am determined that we work together to support our local workforce to ensure that Oxfordshire leads the way out of recession."
The carmaker also announced it had identified 150 surplus workers at its Mini plant in Swindon, who would be offered transfers to Oxford.
The carmaker also announced it had identified 150 surplus workers at its Mini plant in Swindon, who would be offered transfers to Oxford.
Work at the Cowley plant will not restart until 23 February.
Work at the Cowley plant will not restart until 23 February.
The changing shift patterns, and the resulting job losses, will come into force on 2 March.
The changing shift patterns, and the resulting job losses, will come into force on 2 March.
On Monday there were angry scenes as agency staff confronted union officials about the cuts.
On Monday there were angry scenes as agency staff confronted union officials about the cuts.
Casual staff threw fruit at leaders of the Unite union, claiming they felt betrayed.
Casual staff threw fruit at leaders of the Unite union, claiming they felt betrayed.
Do you work at the factory? Are you affected by the job cuts? Send us your views using the form below.
Do you work at the factory? Are you affected by the job cuts? Send us your views using the form below.
