Ministers told not to leave workers ‘carrying the can’

Union leaders gave the message during a meeting with the Business Secretary

Unions have warned the “clock is ticking” for thousands of workers caught up in the collapse of construction giant Carillion.

Firms working for Carillion on private sector contracts will only have Government support until today, Cabinet Office minister David Lidington said.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union warned ministers not to “duck and dive” over the pay and jobs of workers in private firms as well as in the public sector.

Leaders of the TUC, Unite and GMB met Business Secretary Greg Clark last night and warned him workers should not be left to “carry the can”.

GMB general secretary Tim Roache said: “The clock is ticking for Carillion’s 8,500 private sector workers, and the Government must now offer them reassurance and financial guarantees.

“No worker should go hungry, default on a bill or miss a rent or mortgage payment because of a crisis they did not cause.”

Mr Clark has written to the Insolvency Service and the Official Receiver asking that the statutory investigation into the conduct of Carillion’s directors is fast-tracked and extended.

The minister has also written to the chairman of the Financial Reporting Council, Sir Win Bischoff, and asked it to investigate the preparation of Carillion’s accounts past and present, as well as the company’s auditors.

Mr Clark said: “It is important we quickly get the full picture of the events which caused Carillion to enter liquidation, which is why I have asked the Insolvency Service to fast-track and broaden the scope of the Official Receiver’s investigation.

“In particular, I have asked that the investigation looks not only at the conduct of the directors at the point of its insolvency, but also of any individuals who were previously directors.

“Any evidence of misconduct will be taken very seriously.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Carillion’s collapse was a “watershed moment” that should bring an end to the “rip-off privatisation” of public services.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady called for a national taskforce involving unions to safeguard jobs, services and pensions.

“Workers can’t be left at the back of the queue.

“Each and every worker at Carillion needs to know where they stand. They have bills and mortgages to pay, and deserve certainty on their future.”

Picture: PA. The collapse of construction firm Carillion has cast a shadow over the jobs of thousands of people.