WORKERS from a Leigh firm sacked without pay while on holiday will be in line for redundancy payments from the Government -- thanks to MP Andy Burnham.

Thirty-five MPs have supported Mr Burnham's Early Day Motion calling for the Department of Trade and Industry to make redundancy payments "as soon as possible" to the 160 workers from the Peter Miles Engineering Company, who lost their jobs suddenly in May 28 and are owed five weeks wages.

And the Leigh MP believes that redundancy payments may start to be made to workers in the next two weeks.

The motion also called on the DTI to hold an inquiry into the sudden closure of the old Albion Works off Spinning Jenny Way.

The DTI could also meet claims for loss of income for workers who may have been left out of pocket -- and pay them the difference between the DTI payment and the amount they would have received if the redundancy had been handled in normal circumstances.

Mr Burnham will update staff on his progress tomorrow (Friday) at the Abbey Street Labour Club, at 6pm. He will also meet administrator, Mr R E C Cook, from Hacker, Young and Partners, in Manchester.

Questions

He said in a letter to workers: "I have raised questions and concerns in Parliament about the collapse of the company, and I have also pressed DTI ministers to ensure speedy payments from the DTI. People would be able to claim for the difference between the DTI payment received and the total that they would have received if the redundancy had been handled in normal circumstances.

"While I am satisfied that there is nothing untoward in relations between the administrator and the company, I expressed concerns about the speed with which the decision was taken to wind up the company.

A welder, who lost his job when the engineering firm went into liquidation, but wished to remain anonymous, told the Journal: "I would applaud Mr Burnham if we do get some kind of redundancy payment from the DTI, but I have not seen anything which suggests that is going to happen. I've had no correspondence from Mr Burnham and only had one letter from the administrator.

"It's been extremely hard for me financially."

"All my savings have gone, and the £46 money I get fortnightly from the Social Security is just being swallowed up in my bank account. I will be at the meeting on Friday to make sure that I get my two penn'orth in."

Mr Burnham has also been working with the Job Centre to help get workers retrained and back to work -- and with the Citizens Advice Bureau to help people struggling with debt following the closure of the engineering factory.