AN EMPLOYMENT scheme in Ellesmere Port could be replicated across the UK.

Borough MP Andrew Miller has asked the Government if the example of Cheshire Oaks Retails Academy (Cora) could be used elsewhere in the country.

Cora was developed in a partnership of West Cheshire College, McArthur Glen and the borough council, and aims to encourage people to work in the retail sector.

Mr Miller made his comments in Parliament during a debate on work and pensions with Stephen Timms, Minister for Employment & Welfare Reform.

He asked the Minister: “Will my Right Honourable Friend look at the progress made in the Cheshire Oaks retail area in my constituency. There he will see a partnership between the FE college, local authorities, the DWP and employers, who together have set up a retail training centre.

“This has had a profound impact on the life chances of people from some of the most disadvantaged parts of the constituency?

“Will the Minister discuss that with his opposite numbers in the department with responsibility for employment and see whether the model can be applied elsewhere?”

Mr Timms replied that Mr Miller was “absolutely right”.

He added: “Very good progress is being made as a result of the partnership arrangements that he describes.

“He gave a good constituency example of local employment partnerships.

“I have recently been to the Nissan plant in Sunderland, signing a local employment partnership with the company.

“We have said that, through Jobcentre Plus and its partners, we will ensure that people have the skills and abilities to secure the jobs that are available.

“The other side of the deal is that employers will give disadvantaged unemployed people a fair crack at those jobs.

“I am confident we will continue to make substantial progress in reducing the number of people who have been out of work for some time.”