I seem to remember from my dim and distant past the there was a 6 month moratorium on employing personnel into a previously compulsory redundant position.
As Zebedeee has said, if the company can come up with extenuating circumstances as to why the time frame should be reduced then they can apply to the Department for Work and Pensions for dispensation.
As has been said, hopefully an agreement will be reached by the 30th and we can all get on with our work.