Council investigates Ford business

Nick Gibb, MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, has vowed to take up the cause of Something Group employees, whose lives have been "hanging in the balance" while they wait to get paid.

Mr Gibb said: "I have received letters from employees, and I am looking into the matter, but I am happy to take this up on their behalf."

Last week, the Littlehampton Gazette reported how about 80 workers, based at the company's offices in Ford Lane and at Wick Street, Wick, had agreed to work for free for two weeks in August, but had been paid only sporadically since.

Speaking yesterday (Wednesday), one employee, who asked not to be named, said: "I have not been paid for four weeks, and for some it is even longer.

"We were promised faithfully on Monday that we would get a cheque on Tuesday, but nothing.

"I have a mortgage and bills to pay. I am having to borrow money from my elderly parents just to survive."

He added that a statement by the company in last week's Gazette,

stating that all employees had been given a written update, was untrue.

"We have had nothing," he said.

* West Sussex County Council's trading standards department it is investigating three companies, one of which went into administration in July, registered at the same Ford address as Something Group.

A spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that we are investigating Satellite Direct, Sat Cover and One4 Group, as well as two individuals."

She added that the department had received "many complaints" on a

variety of issues relating to the companies.

"We would advise all residents to be very careful when giving out bank account details," she added.

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