Alan tells Peter that £720 is the minimum redundancy payment available.

These figures highlight the low level of statutory minimum redundancy payments for both men and women.

In the negotiations, it is offering people who have been loyal to it for as long as 22 years the minimum redundancy payment available.

Together with minimum redundancy payments, the guarantees of wages form a meagre cushion which requires more of a systematic supplementation when people remain unemployed.

They have graded pay rates, enhanced sick pay, pensions and redundancy whilst the private workers get minimum pay, SSP, no pension and statutory minimum redundancy payments.