Last time I was made redundant, they were very sympathetic and didn't harass me to go for cleaning jobs (which was all that was available at the time).
Unfortunately, they didn't pay me any benefit either, because I had taken 18 months out to train, I didn't have 2 complete years NI contributions (the fact that I'd fully paid the previous 22 years to that didn't count), and as the Government don't recognise pilot training as training, so I was stuffed. No JSA, no help with Council Tax, nothing.
They got quite upset when I asked for political asylum as I was the subject of discrimination, exploitation and victimisation in the country of my birth, and when that failed couldn't offer any advice on how to start a new career as a drug dealer, which seemed a more lucrative occupation than cleaning factory bogs for keeping the family roof over our heads, .
Ah well, all's well that ends well.
On a serious note, good luck to all those unfortunate enough to have to have lost their jobs and
whatever you do, if it happens to you contact the DWP straight away as they should at least pay your NI for you, even if you're not eligable for benefits, and also, it makes things a lot easier when you need to get an airside pass and/or provide continuous employment history.
All the best
oap