Around 6,000 people lost their jobs when the manufacturer folded in April, but the Task Force said the figures were testimony to the West Midlands fighting back from the biggest company closure in years. In an update to prime minister Tony Blair, it said that 1,092 former workers have started training out of 2,200 booked onto courses, and that 3,000 jobs at companies supplying MG Rover have been temporarily safeguarded. Nick Paul, chairman of the MG Rover Task Force and Advantage West Midlands, paid tribute to the resilience of companies whose jobs were reliant on MG Rover. He said: “Many are working round the clock to keep staff on, find new markets and build for the future with the support of the team at Birmingham Chamber and Business Link who have given £3 million in emergency grants to 156 companies to safeguard.” A £7.5m package has been announced to help West Midlands companies affected by the MG Rover collapse. The money has been put forward by Advantage West Midlands and is expected to assist 1,000 automotive supply chain businesses. The Accelerate programme, which has already helped 1,700 automotive businesses in the region, will use the funds to support developing technology such as hybrid fuels. Paul said: “There are hundreds of companies in the West Midlands, particularly in MG Rover's supply chain, facing testing times following its collapse. “I want to reassure companies that we are here to support them as much as possible and the Accelerate programme is a good example of the help on offer.”