AN MP has promised to fight “all the way” for his constituents’ jobs after almost 1,000 redundancies were announced in less than a week.

On Wednesday Legal & General, which is in The Droveway, Hove, revealed that 510 of the site’s 1,200 jobs would be relocated to Hertfordshire.

Those jobs will not move until summer 2019.

Last Tuesday 350 staff at nearby wholesalers Palmers and Harvey, in Davigdor Road, were made redundant overnight.

Hove MP Peter Kyle has vowed to step in. He said: “I’m heartbroken to hear that Legal & General staff in Hove are facing redundancy just days after the devastating announcement from Palmer and Harvey.

“I’ve already met with MPs in affected areas, and I will be meeting with Palmer and Harvey staff today.

“I know this is an unbelievably difficult time, and I want all those affected to know that I am on their side and fighting for them all the way.”

Staff at Legal & General, one of the city’s largest employers, were told of the plans on Wednesday. A Legal & General spokesman said: “Following today’s announcement, it is important to stress that it will be business as usual in our Mature Savings business for 18 months – until the summer of 2019 – which gives us time to hold discussions with staff about other opportunities, including at L&G’s offices in Hove.”

Union Unite has demanded an urgent meeting with management. Ian Methven, Unite regional officer said on Wednesday: “Just three weeks before Christmas staff have arrived at work in Hove to find they have been sold down river by their employer for whom many have been incredibly loyal and long serving.”

Last week The Argus revealed that 350 staff at Palmer’s and Harvey’s headquarters in Hove had been made redundant. They had arrived at work on Tuesday expecting business as usual but were told at around 4pm to pack their things and leave the Davigdor Road office.

Some had been discussing plans for the Christmas party just that lunchtime.

Angela Lewis, from Hove, said: “I’ve been there ten years and now I’ve been made redundant overnight. It’s not a good time of year for it. It had been on the cards but it was still a shock”

Staff received their November pay packet yesterday, but any redundancy pay may take some time.