What action is being taken to provide information, advice and financial support to workers laid off as a result of the recent foot-and-mout…

Initial advice is being made available to any individual or business affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak through the Small Business Gateway's helplines. Training for Work eligibility has been relaxed, ensuring that all individuals made redundant as a result of this outbreak in Borders and Dumfries and Galloway have immediate access to this programme. Immediate entry to Training for Work has now been extended to workers temporarily laid off as a result of foot and mouth in Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.The Department for Education and Employment has introduced a new service, Rural Skills Action, as an emergency response to the employment and training needs of those worst affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.