Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2019 to Question 1123, what financial support is available for businesses in a position to take on former employees of Thomas Cook.

My rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has convened a special cross-government taskforce alongside local stakeholders to support employees, local stakeholders and supply chains. The taskforce is considering support schemes available and will also monitor local business impacts.

Additionally, the Rapid Response Service is helping people find a new job as soon as possible by offering tailored support, which may include:

• Help with job searches, including CV writing and interview skills.
• Help to identify transferable skills and skills gaps, linked to the local labour market.
• Training to update skills, learn new ones and gain industry recognised certification that will improve employability.
• Help to overcome barriers to attending training, securing a job or self-employment, such as childcare costs, tools, work clothes and travel costs.

Local partners are able to advise on support available locally to former employees and businesses wishing to recruit them.