AIRPORT workers who lost their jobs in recent redundancies received little encouragement from a meeting between west London MPs and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Southall MP Piara Khabra declared after the tragedies in the USA on September 11 last year that he would approach Tony Blair on behalf of Southall residents working at Heathrow who looked set to suffer from a slump in business.

He and five other MPs met Mr Blair on February 27 to ask for financial help for those that suffer from the redundancies.

According to the MP, Mr Blair listened as he told how the events of September 11 affected employment and emphasised the importance of increasing the Single Regeneration Budget a project-based government fund that aids revitalisation schemes in needy areas.

Mr Khabra said: "John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, handed over a prepared memo and then we all spoke for a couple of minutes on the situation in our own constituencies. I told him I fear for business in Southall.

"Mr Blair had to rush off for another meeting after 20 minutes but he did make a short comment to say he would reply in writing."

Only three weeks ago, in the wake of an announcement from British Airways that it intends to cut 6,600 jobs at Heathrow Airport, Mr Khabra told the Times of a real need for financial aid. "After September 11, I asked the government how it intends to help keep the aviation industry afloat. More residents in my constituency work in or around Heathrow than any other constituency in the country and these people are worried."