2 week consultation period for redundancytalks.

No - it's about pat for the course. The idea that most employers are genuinely consulting is ludicrous. They are going through the motions. Realistically, if the situation were reversed and you were the employer and it was your business, then you'd have made the decisions you needed to as well, and it'd take a stunning argument to make you change your mind. The law creates expectations that aren't real, and that is probably less fair than doing nothing.

ok just to update.
been made redundant now, all paperwork received and payments.
Thanks for all he help and advice.

I do have a single question on behalf of my colleague.
he has been there for over 2 years, he started in a different position and a few months later moved into IT.
he has not been paid redundancy payment because they are saying he did not complete 2 years in any one position.

does this make sense, or should he be entitled to statuatory redundancy payments??

Providing he has two years continuous employment he should qualify for a redundancy payment. That means for example he must not have previously been employed on an agency or self-employed basis, and there must not have been a gap of a week or more between employed roles.