Councils launch package to support staff at Lotus Cars

The package that will be offered to Lotus employees and those affected in its supply chain, provides a holistic range of services designed around three key pillars of support, hardship and financial stability, employment and skills, and business start-ups.

Cllr. Fabian Eagle, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Growth said:

I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard over the last few days to create such a positive response to the news from Lotus. At difficult times like this we must put people first and work together to provide the support they need. It’s also vital that we keep the automotive skills and expertise in Norfolk, and we have already started working with local employers to find staff new opportunities.

Leader of South Norfolk Council, Daniel Elmer added:

Redundancy is very difficult, but it’s not the end. The teams at both councils have produced a package of support that will help people through the initial pain of losing their job, while helping them plan their future. “Our two councils have worked side by side to produce this package of support in a very short time. We will continue to do all we can to help but we need the Government to step up and support both Lotus and the staff who will be losing their jobs.

The taskforce will use the time between now and the end of the financial year, when the redundancies are expected, to work with Lotus and its staff and help them navigate their next steps.

The comprehensive support package, detailed below, offers practical assistance focused on three key areas:

• hardship and managing finances
• finding a new job
• business start-up.

Hardship and Financial Support

Providing immediate financial and personal support.

• Offer financial aid and advice: Help with information on available benefits and financial support, including emergency hardship and homelessness prevention. This includes offering one-on-one sessions with a financial professional for money management, budgeting, and managing household costs.
• Provide professional wellbeing support: Offers confidential one-on-one conversations with a professional and provides referrals for additional support if needed.
• Ensure accessible services: Delivering services through on-site pop-ups or an outreach vehicle at designated locations including the Lotus site and a dedicated space at Hethel Engineering Centre, to ensure privacy.
• Create a cohesive offer: Working with other local partners and district authorities to create a comprehensive and seamless individual support packages.

Employment and Skills Development

Help to find new jobs and improve skills.

• Provide one-on-one job support: Offer personalised assistance from employment specialists, including help with job searches, CV writing, and interview preparation. Create tailored action plans based on individual skills and goals.
• Offer mentoring and skills building: Provide intensive mentoring in employability skills, confidence building, and condition management for those with long-term health conditions.
• Connect to job opportunities: Act as a brokerage service to link affected workers with vacancies at Norfolk engineering firms through partners like New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering. Continuously provide in-work support to ensure success for both the employee and employer.
• Support apprentices: Provide tailored support to apprentices who have been made redundant, helping them find new employers.
• Offer training and courses: Provide access to short courses, Skills Bootcamps, and other educational programs to help individuals upskill or transition into a new sector. This could include routes into teaching and other specialised fields.
• Run informational sessions: A series of general information sessions that cover the full options of support, followed by more specific group or individual support as needed.

Support for start-ups

Helping individuals who want to start their own businesses.

• Launch the Business Builder program: Prioritise former employees for the Business Builder program, which offers staged support for new businesses.
  • Foundation (Pre-Start): Provide one-on-one support from an officer and cover the cost of a self-paced online start-up course.
  • Build-Up (Early Stage): Offer a 50% match up to £1,000 for essential equipment, rent, software, and marketing for businesses that have been trading for less than two years. o
  • Development (Established SME): Provide a 50% match up to £5,000 for SMEs that have been trading for more than two years, which can also cover staff recruitment.
• Offer competitive grants: Make competitive grants of up to £20,000 available to eligible rural businesses for capital investments.
• Provide subsidized workspaces: Offer subsidised office and workshop space at locations like Hethel Engineering Centre and Scottow.
• Partner with other organisations: Collaborate with partners like Hethel Innovation and the Growth Hub to provide additional support, including courses and one-on-one workshops.