Question
Last week, workers in Lichfield woke up, put on their uniforms, went to work and were told that their jobs were under threat—not because the company is not viable or profitable, but because the company’s owner, Gordon Brothers, is choosing not to do the right thing. It is choosing to put jobs at threat for its own selfish interests. I know the Minister and USDAW are working really hard on this, but can she give the House a reassurance that everything will be done to make sure that Gordon Brothers steps up, does the right thing and backs its workers? It is the workers who have turned the business around, not the owner, and it is time that Gordon Brothers recognised that and backed those workers.
Answer
We absolutely back the workforce and thank them for their hard work and dedication to the business. That is why we have been engaging with the company and the union this week, and why we are encouraging the owners to act in the best interests of their loyal UK staff and stores. The Secretary of State, the Prime Minister and I have been keeping a close eye on what is an extremely worrying situation for the staff, their families and our wider community. I thank my hon. Friend for his question, and hope that he is assured about our commitment, engagement and work on this issue this week. We will keep him as updated as we can.43% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (66/100)
The reply addresses the question directly. It gives the reassurance that the Government backs the Lichfield workforce and names specific steps: engaging with the company and the union, and encouraging the owners to act in staff's interests. Some of the wording is general and it makes no firm commitment on outcomes, so the asker may still want more detail on what will happen next.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Government give reassurance that it will do everything it can to ensure that Gordon Brothers backs its workers at the Lichfield site, where jobs are under threat. | Addressed | Direct | The reply gives the requested reassurance that the Government backs the Lichfield workforce, and names concrete actions: engaging with the company and union and encouraging the owners to act in staff's interests. It does not explicitly promise to 'do everything it can', and parts of it are platitudinal, but the named actions are specific enough to answer the item. |