The Prime Minister Calls In Help for Drive Assist

David Cameron has intervened personally to ensure redundant employees from the collapsed car hire giant, Drive Assist, get the help they need to get back into work.

Following his meeting with Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, just before Christmas, the Prime Minister wrote to Work & Pensions Minister Mark Hoban asking him to ensure a coordinated response from all the agencies offering support to those that have lost their jobs.

Mr Cameron said, “This is clearly very difficult news for employees at Drive Assist who have been made redundant, as well as their families in the run-up to Christmas…to ensure a co-ordinated response, I think it would also be beneficial for Chris to meet with you in your Ministerial capacity at the Department of Work & Pensions.”

Subsequent to that letter, Mr Pincher has now spoken with both Secretary of State Iain Duncan Smith and Mark Hoban.  Mr Hoban has asked for a detailed brief of any issues Job Centre Plus, training agencies and local authorities have in dealing with the Drive Assist challenge so he can offer any extra support necessary.

Last night Mr Pincher said, “I am very pleased that the Prime Minister and other ministers have recognised the impact the collapse of Drive Assist has had on many people in our community and have responded to my call for support.  From what I have heard and seen from the professional administrators, the financial problems into which the Drive Assist Company got itself mean the firm really is not salvageable as a going concern.  That is why we must do all we can to ensure those people affected get a “Rolls Royce” service to help them get back into work.  It is good news that the Prime Minister and his colleagues are on the case.”

Mr Pincher will be speaking again to the administrators, Job Centre Plus and Tamworth Borough Council shortly.

Following the initial letter in December, The Prime Minister has again spoken on Drive Assist.  Mr Cameron said, “I was extremely sorry to hear of the collapse of Drive Assist UK in Tamworth and for all the people affected by these redundancies.

“I am encouraged to hear that local MP, Chris Pincher, is working with those involved to ensure the best possible help is provided and I know Jobcentre Plus is working to ensure those affected have access to all the support and information they need to look for alternative work and access the benefits they are entitled to.

“I have also asked Ministers at the Department of Work & Pensions to meet with Chris so that he can brief them further on the situation.”