The city's Labour Group leader and MP have made a last ditch attempt to offer some hope in what has become a desperate situation for Jarvis Fastline rail workers in the city.

The company went into administration last week, putting more than 2000 jobs at risk across the country. Since that time, administrators Deloitte have come in and assessed what can be salvaged from the business.

Coun. David Scott said:

"The plight of these rail workers is very real and urgently requires action. That is why the city's MPs Hugh Bayley and John Grogan and I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis and to the Government Minster for Yorkshire and the Humber, Rosie Winterton, to seek their interventions in this situation.

"Today it is confirmed that over 1400 employees will be given notice of compulsory redundancy. That is a disaster for Jarvis workers everywhere, including the 250 to 300 York-based staff. Staff are unlikely to be paid today what is due to them for their last month's work, putting them into arrears with mortgages and other financial commitments they have.

"I have called on the Secretary of State to intervene as he has the powers to do. The legislation that made provision for the privatisation of the railways in the early 1990s made Jarvis a ‘protected rail company', meaning such intervention is possible.

"I believe it is the only way to protect the interests of these workers and to prevent immediate hardship, and I urge Lord Adonis to do what is necessary with urgency".

"In the interim I have asked whether Future Prospects can provide help and assistance to those workers, some of which have never needed to claim benefits in their lives".