Seventy-three former employees of Whitehaven-based Focus (MDC) have won their legal battle after they were dismissed without any consultation in July 2019 as the firm went bust.

Construction union Unite took up the case and secured a 90-day protective award after an employment tribunal accepted directors of Focus (MDC) failed to consult on the redundancies as it went into liquidation.

The firm had provided scaffolders and joiners for the Sellafield site.

As the award will be paid by the government and capped at eight weeks pay, the former staff can expect several thousand pounds, depending on personal circumstances.

Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: “This is a classic case of the benefits of being a member of a trade union in tough times. Standing collectively, we can reach awards and settlements that would be immensely difficult for individuals to achieve by themselves.

“Our members at Focus (MDC) were treated in a shabby way by the management and we are pleased that this has been rightly recognised by an employment tribunal.”