MP Andrew Miller is urging borough businesses to take advantage of a Government incentive to help the long-term unemployed.

As part of a £500m package to support the jobless, “golden hellos” worth up to £2,500 are being offered to encourage firms to recruit and train people who are out of work.

Mr Miller said: “The current economic climate is very difficult for many people and while there are currently about 450 job vacancies in Ellesmere Port and Neston, we cannot afford to be complacent about unemployment.

“In the last recession, the Tories allowed short-term unemployment to become long-term unemployment because they didn’t give people the help they needed.

“However we are starting in a much better position than we were 15 years ago under a Conservative Government. In 1993, there were about 33,000 people working in the constituency, that figure has now increased significantly and in June last year stood at 41,000.

“The longer local people are out of work, the more help they will get.

“As part of a half a billion pounds package, those unemployed for six months will get a guarantee of extra support. In Ellesmere Port and Neston that would mean 260 people could benefit from this new help and the new options available.”

Government minister for the North West, Beverley Hughes, has also welcomed the new measures.

She said: “Real help and opportunity is there. I urge people to contact their local JobCentre Plus or Business Link North West and find out what help is available.”

Last week, Ellesmere Port sandwich manufacturer Gibsons Foods closed down after plunging into administration, resulting in the loss of 245 jobs.