03/04/2006

Government launches 'back to work' pilot schemes

A pilot scheme which aims to help jobseekers back into work has been rolled out across England, Scotland and Wales today.

The Jobseekers Mandatory Activity programme is aimed at people aged 25 and over who have unemployed and receiving benefit continuously for six months.

The three-day intensive work-focused course will be piloted in 10 Jobcentre Plus districts - Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire; Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire; Cheshire & Warrington; Cumbria; Lanarkshire & East Dunbartonshire; South London; Staffordshire; Surrey & Sussex; South East Wales; West Yorkshire - and will be provided by externally contracted providers.

The course will focus on a number of key areas, including confidence building and motivation; job search skills; identification of strengths, skills and training needs, as well as barriers to work and how they can be overcome; and routes into work.

Each individual who participates in the course will leave the course with an action plan and Jobcentre Plus advisers will then provide three fortnightly interviews with them, building on the action plan and job search skills.

Each customer will leave the course with an action plan. Jobcentre Plus Advisers will then provide three fortnightly interviews with the customer, building on the action plan and job search skills.

The government anticipates that around 76,500 people will participate in the scheme.

Margaret Hodge, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, said: "These pilots are an excellent example of the reforms we want to bring to the welfare state - strengthening rights and responsibilities to get people off benefits and into work.

"We want the state to be flexible enough to meet the needs of people who traditionally have felt unable to take up the opportunities that now exist, but equally ensuring that where a person is able to work and contribute they can do so. These pilots will show this approach in action."

(KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

06 September 2004
New pilot scheme set to target loan sharks
Illegal loan sharks in the West Midlands are being targeted by a new pilot project, it has been revealed. Loan sharks illegally give out quick cash loans, often using intimidation and threats of violence to extort large sums of money in return.
10 May 2005
The AA clarifies position on motorway speed limits
The AA Motoring Trust has clarified reports that it has backed calls for an 80 mph limit on motorways. The motoring organisation has confirmed that a suggested pilot scheme for a limit of 80mph related only to certain controlled motorway sections, such as those that are in place on the M25 near Heathrow.
17 August 2005
Government recommends care home changes
A Government's action plan to improve the quality of care home services has been welcomed as a "positive response" by the OFT. However, consumer group 'Which?' prompted the original OFT inquiry, has criticised the proposed reforms as "vague" and called for more detail to be included.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
20 November 2008
Pilot Suffers Mental Breakdown Mid-Flight
A stewardess helped make an emergency landing during an Air Canada flight to London from Toronto after a co-pilot suffered a mental breakdown. The co-pilot had to be wrestled out of the cockpit, restrained and sedated during the incident on January 28.