Scottish MPs have welcomed today’s announcement which will see 20,000 Scots guaranteed new help to find work.

The Labour Government announced that £0.5bn will be invested to help people who have been unemployed for more than six months.

Ian Davidson MP said:

“Jobseekers who find themselves unemployed for more than six months will be guaranteed more support, so they can get back into work.

“The proposals, which will see £0.5bn invested by the Labour Government over two years, will be funded by hundreds of millions pounds of new money released by the Treasury and targeted at those who have been out of the job market for six months or more.

“These are great plans which will help people across Scotland , it is real help for people now, we cannot afford not to act. Labour is committed to taking action so that we support people through these difficult times.

”Whilst the Tories and SNP are the do-nothing parties of Scottish politics, Labour is providing real help for people now. Help like this is vital, particularly in constituencies like mine in Glasgow .”

This extra support is in addition to the £1.3 billion already being invested so that anyone who loses their job can access help and support on the first day they become unemployed and make a claim.

Speaking today, James Purnell, Labour’s Secretary of State for Department of Work and Pensions said:

“Today we have unveiled the next stage of help for jobseekers. There are still over half a million jobs available, and employers are still recruiting – we will do everything we can to get people into those jobs.

“The half a billion pounds announced today will be used to guarantee extra support to everyone who reaches 6 months unemployment – we are determined to provide real help to people in these tough times. Our message is simple, the longer a person is out of work the harder we will work for them.”  

12 January 2009  

Notes

As well as extra funds for Jobcentre Plus to provide every job seeker who has been out of work for six months more intensive and personalised support , the package will include giving individuals access to:

    * “Employers’ Golden Hellos”: incentives of up to £2500 paid to employers to recruit and train unemployed people

    * Work-focused volunteering options: opportunities to volunteer to help people back into work habits

    * Help to set up a business – advice on creating a business plan, plus funding for the first months of trading