Liberal Democrats slam cuts to Manchester helpline - Alcock

11.28.00pm GMT Thu 26th Mar 2009

Local Liberal Democrats have reacted with disappointment to the news that 36 Manchester-based jobs are to be cut at the EHRC helpline, and the Manchester office closed down altogether.

Oldham West & Royton Parliamentary spokesperson Mark Alcock, said, "These cuts could not come at a worse time - the recession has led to an increase in calls to this service from workers facing redundancy because they are carers, disabled people, women, and ethnic minority or on maternity leave.

"We should not be cutting back the kind of service during a recession. These helpline workers are the lowest paid at the EHRC but are highly skilled.

"I am calling on Oldham's MPs to sign Early Day Motion 1119, which has received cross-party support, and calls on the EHRC to review its planed closures."

The Manchester helpline handled over 50,000 enquiries last year from members of the public facing discrimination.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline number is 0845 604 8810.