Another 230 Carillion staff to lose their jobs this week

It bring to 1,371 the total so far who have been made redundant since the collapse of the group last month.

But the Official Receiver says another 450 have been taken on by new suppliers snapping up Carillion contracts. That brings to 8,066 the number who's jobs have been secured.

Around 8,000 workers in the UK are still waiting to discover their fate, including around 400 at the Carillion headquarters building on the Wolverhampton city centre ring road. They are working with accountants PwC, the special managers of the liquidation, and are likely to lose their jobs only once the procedure is completed.

In an update a spokesperson for the Official Receiver said: "Work is continuing to find new suppliers to take on Carillion’s public and private sector contracts with ongoing employment now secured for a further 456 employees.

"Over 8,000 of Carillion’s workforce have now been placed into secure jobs. I am continuing to facilitate the transfer of employees on exisiting or similar terms wherever possible.

"“Unfortuantely as the liquidation proceeds some roles supporting contracts that have transferred are no longer required. As a result 230 employees have been declared redundant and will leave the business later this week.

"Those who have lost their jobs will be able to find support through Jobcentre Plus’ RapidResponse Service and are also entitled to make a claim for statutory redundancy payments.

"Discussions with potential purchasers continue and I expect that the number of jobs safeguarded through the liquidation will continue to rise. I am continuing to engage with staff, elected employee representatives and unions to keep them informed as these arrangements are confirmed.”

The Insolvency Service says that approximately 8,000 staff are currently being retained to enable Carillion to deliver the remaining services it is providing for public and private sector customers until decisions are taken to transfer or cease these contracts.

Meanwhile rail firm Abellio has pulled out of the bidding process for the Wales and Borders rail franchise in the wake of collapse of Carillion, its partner in the venture

It was one of three remaining bidders for the next franchise.

Abellio Rail Cymru said it had been unable to overcome the collapse of Wolverhampton-based Carillion which went into liquidation last month,

Abellio's exit from the process leaves MTR and joint venture KeolisAmey, which runs the London Docklands Light Railway, bidding to run the franchise, which will operate the South Wales Metro.

Last year existing franchisee Arriva dropped its bid to take on the new rail franchise, which operates much of the country's railway network, and will be awarded by the Welsh Government via new railway quango, Transport for Wales, in May.

Much of Carillion's rail assets have been bought by rival Amey, which is involved in one of the rival bids.

Aecom, one of the three firms involved in the Abellio bid had wanted to purchase Carillion's rail assets. which might have allowed the bid to continue.

Ken Skates, the Welsh Government's cabinet secretary for economy and transport, said it was unfortunate that having invested significant time, effort and money into the process, ARC had become a further victim of Carillion's liquidation.