£158m fund to help unemployed

Dec 17 2008

The Government has unveiled details of a £158 million fund to help people made redundant or who fear losing their jobs with the aim of helping them find new work.

Ministers said the fund would make it easier and quicker to get advice on careers and work-related training as well as supporting employers wanting to improve workers' skills.

The fund would also help people who had recently lost their jobs or were at risk of being made redundant, as well as the long-term unemployed.

Skills Secretary John Denham said: "Now more than ever, it is important that we do what we can to help people who have been recently made redundant or are worried about being unemployed.

"The measures will mean that many more people will have real help to find or stay in work.

"By increasing the advice on offer and improving access to training we will ensure that more is made of the £4.5 billion the Government already spends on skills. This will help make it more relevant to those that have been recently made or fear being made redundant.

"It is not the only support the Government can offer but it is an important part of it and we remain committed to always doing what we can to help people where necessary."