Employment Advice Surgery

"It is with great sadness that our community sees the closure of Woolworths in Bermondsey and the Elephant and Castle. As well as a loss of services for local people, our thoughts are with all the staff, many of whom who have been very long serving, who have lost their jobs in a difficult economic climate," says Simon Hughes MP.

"Over the past year I have seen more and more people contacting me with financial difficulties surrounding work, pensions and benefits. In fact, I have seen more people struggling with debt than at any other time during my twenty five years as Member of Parliament for North Southwark and Bermondsey. Anyone who is concerned and who lives in North Southwark and Bermondsey is always welcome to contact me.

"I will be holding a special employment advice surgery on Friday, 30th January for anyone who has been made redundant, is out of work or is worried that they may lose their job in the near future. I am very pleased that Southwark Works, an excellent local organisation, will be hosting the surgery with me. Southwark Works specialises in helping people with training to get back into work and will be there with me to offer confidential support.

"I hope that anyone in need of help with employment issues will come along and that we will be able to support those who are out of work at this tough time."