Highlands and Islands MSP encouraged by Minister’s Announcement on Support for Weavers

25 March 2009

Rhoda Grant, Highlands & Islands Regional Labour MSP, has welcomed an announcement by James Purnell, the Work & Pensions Secretary, regarding benefit support for self-employed Harris Tweed weavers who find themselves unemployed.

Mrs Grant said "Last year I wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer highlighting the plight that self-employed Harris Tweed weavers can find themselves in.

"The weavers are dependant on the mills for work but if work is not available they cannot claim benefits.

"Fishermen were in a similar situation and changes were made to the benefit regime to allow them to claim benefits whilst laid off.

"I asked the Chancellor to give consideration for a similar regime to be put in place for self-employed weavers who can, on occasion, find themselves unemployed.

"Today the Work & Pensions Secretary has announced that he has asked job centre plus to look at the way the current rules can work positively to support people caught in the present downturn, such as the self-employed weavers.

"The Minister has now said that such weavers should make a claim for Jobseekers Allowance and said that each case will be dealt with on its own merits".

Mrs Grant added "I am pleased that my representation to the Westminster government has been met with a positive response.

"This is especially welcome given the slowdown in the largest mill in Stornoway.

"This will allow people some scope to continue in the industry which would have been impossible in the current climate.

"This, along with the European funding announced earlier this week, is a welcome move and hopefully will help the industry in these difficult times".