To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to protect Shop Direct workers facing possible redundancy in Burnley. (316604)

Job Centre Plus, Burnley council and the NWDA are working with Shop Direct to identify employment and re-training opportunities for staff affected by the confirmed closure of the Burnley call centre. Each displaced member of staff will be offered outplacement services by a combination of Shop Direct and Job Centre Plus, to assist in seeking new employment, pursuing potential retraining opportunities and assessing other alternatives such as early retirement. In addition, it is understood that staff will be eligible to apply for newly created posts at nearby call centres in Preston and Bolton.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if officials of his Department will meet representatives of Shop Direct to discuss measures to protect jobs at the Burnley site. (316605)

The North West Development Agency (NWDA) represented BIS at a meeting with Shop Direct on 3 February, which confirmed the Burnley call centre will close. The NWDA will represent BIS at any further meetings with the company, following confidential discussions between Shop Direct and GMB and USDAW on the statutory consultation process.