THE Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to set up a Government task force to help the 684 Oldbury British Gas workers facing the dole queue.

The PM made the pledge after Warley MP John Spellar raised the "devastating news" in today's Prime Minister's Questions.

Mr Spellar said: “Will the Prime Minister instruct his ministers to immediately contact the company and the unions, and to arrange urgent meetings preferably to save these jobs or, if that proves impossible, to establish a task force to create alternative opportunities for this loyal and had working workforce?”

The Prime Minister replied: “I can certainly give the honourable gentleman that assurance.

“We will make sure that a taskforce of ministers is available to talk to the company, to talk to the local community, to provide all the assistance in terms of retraining and other things that can be done to help.”

Government ministers will work with British Gas and the local community in a bid to save jobs and or ensure those getting sacked will get training to help them find another job.