Burnham 'ready to support' Poundland staff as retailer faces collapse

Andy Burnham has said the government is "ready to support" Poundland staff as the retailer teeters on the brink of collapse.

The prime minister called for answers over why an offer to buy the business from its current owners, which would have protected jobs, was rejected.

"This is a deeply worrying time for Poundland staff and their families," Burnham told the BBC.

The discount chain is teetering on the edge after its US-based owners Gordon Brothers cut off a vital funding supply and rejected a takeover offer from Irish firm Martin Property Group (MPG).

Burnham said: "We want to see jobs protected. If there was a potential owner to avoid this that hasn't been accepted, then the Business Secretary and I want to know why that is the case.