Blunkett battle cry over agency jobs

Mr Blunkett said he had received a letter from UKBA’s regional director Jeremy Oppenheim, which revealed plans to cut its worldwide workforce by 5,200 by 2015.

The Sheffield UKBA site is the largest in Yorkshire and Mr Blunkett said he had tabled Parliamentary questions to Home Secretary Theresa May asking for numbers of planned redundancies and when they will be announced.

He said: “I am deeply disturbed at the implications of this for both individuals and the city economy.

“It is vital to lift the uncertainty and bring clarity to those affected but it is also critical for the Liberal Democrat leaders of Sheffield Council to fight for these jobs.

“Once again, we need to ask where the Deputy Prime Minister is in defending the interests of the city, the local economy and the vital jobs on which families depend.

“I hope that the Government will come clean on what is planned as quickly as possible – and have genuine discussions on reducing the impact locally.”