Baltic Pine Closure - Jobs Blow

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Oct 2006

Julia Goldsworthy joined calls for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the closure of Baltic Pine, which went in to administration last week.

Around 200 workers were told of the closure just hours before they were due to receive their monthly pay packets, many of them hearing the news by telephone.

Commenting, Julia Goldsworthy said:

"This is a shocking loss for the staff and their families. I will work to ensure that they receive all available support in finding new jobs.

"Concerns have been raised about the manner in which this company has ceased trading. The fact that former employees will not receive their wages and may have difficulties in accessing redundancy support is a real cause for concern to myself and individuals affected.

"I am contacting administrator Grant Thornton, as a matter of urgency, to raise these issues and take this matter forward."