Ann McKechin MP has welcomed today’s announcement which will see 4,985 local people 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.

Commenting on the news, Ann 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.

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.”

• More information from the DWP
• JobCentre Plus website 

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