Job cuts confirmed at Business Link Yorkshire
BUSINESS Link Yorkshire has confirmed that up to 125 jobs at the organisation are to be lost as part of a major restructuring in the wake of swingeing budget cuts.
Business Link Yorkshire’s budget has been reduced by £4.4m this year as part of wider cuts by Yorkshire Forward and it has been warned that further reductions are likely in the next financial year.
Earlier this month, Business Link’s chief executive Helen West told TheBusinessDesk.com that despite the abolition of regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, it was too early to discuss the long term future of the business support organisation but admitted that there would be an impact on staff.
Today, Business Link said it was “realigning its business support model to ensure it will have the greatest economic impact”.
Chief Executive Helen West said: “We have to make cuts to our service – and inevitably this will impact on the number of people we employ – but our current plans are that all business services will be continuing over the coming months, with the exception of vouchers – albeit on a reduced scale.
“As a result we have now started a three-month consultation period with our staff to determine how best the budget changes can be achieved.
“A programme of support is in place and staff will be invited to apply for voluntary redundancy. There are, however, likely to be compulsory redundancies as the company seeks to reduce its size by up to 125 employees.”
Business Link Yorkshire presently employs around 400 people.
The organisation, which operates in Yorkshire from an office in Barnsley, said it would continue to deliver help by phone, via the web and face to face with adviser services.
Ms West added: “Clearly this is a difficult and uncertain time for everyone and we are committed to give everyone affected by this process the most professional and caring support available.
“In the meantime we are working behind the scenes to do the very best job we can to minimise the disruption of the service and to ensure a seamless transition into the future model. It is essential that we must not let this uncertainty disrupt the service that we offer to businesses.
“We are focussed on the key themes that are helping businesses move out of recession through innovation, access to finance, being investment ready, higher level skills and working with businesses to improve their international competitiveness.
“Our doors are, as always, open for business and our focus is firmly on encouraging businesses to start, deliver growth, create jobs and drive lasting recovery.”
What do you think should be the future of Business Link? Are you affected by the job cuts? Please leave your comments below.
