More money has been offered to a union to help Waterford Wedgwood workers in Stoke-on-Trent find new work if they are made redundant by the pottery firm. The firm is considering axing 250 jobs and moving fine bone china production from Barlaston to Indonesia. Elected mayor Mark Meredith, the union Unity, MP Rob Flello and employment and regeneration groups met earlier to discuss their next move. The group has not revealed how much cash will be made available. It has been offered to the union Unity by regeneration agency Advantage West Midlands and the Learning and Skills Council. 'Practical help' Garry Oakes, assistant general secretary of Unity, said: "'We are pleased Advantage West Midlands and the Learning and Skills Council approved additional funding enabling Unity to offer individuals being made redundant from Wedgwood a package of assistance to lead them back into learning and employment. "The project we run gives intensive and practical help, guidance, mentoring and training in order for people to get them into work." Mr Meredith said it was "vital" that different partners worked together to minimise the damage job losses at Waterford Wedgwood could have on the local economy. Mr Flello, Labour MP for Stoke South, said: "The workers and their families are understandably worried at this time and we are committed to helping all those affected with real practical help. "Unity has an excellent track record of helping people who have been made redundant and currently work with over 500 companies in the local area. "To date the existing project has supported almost 6,000 redundant people; nearly 4,000 of these have undertaken vocational training and over 4,500 have now got jobs."
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