AS LABOUR CABINET CRUMBLES SNP MOVES AHEAD OF LABOUR IN YOUGOV POLL

MESSAGE OF PROTECTING JOBS RESONATES

As Gordon Brown's Cabinet disintegrates with the resignation of James Purnell the latest YouGov opinion poll from the Daily Telegraph has shown the SNP moving further ahead in voting preferences for the Westminster Parliament with a 8% lead over Labour.

The poll – which has a Scottish sample of 410 people – puts the SNP on 33% to 22% for Labour compared to 29% to 24% in their previous poll. The SNP is also ahead in European voting intentions.

Commenting on the figures SNP MSP and Minister for Parliament Bruce Crawford said;

“These results are a very positive indication for the SNP with a lead in Westminster voting intentions. With the possibility of a General Election increasing as Gordon Brown's government disintegrates this puts the SNP in a strong position.

"The people of Scotland want a Government which puts jobs and communities at the top of its agenda - not one which slashes Scottish investment in the teeth of a recession.

“These results make it clear – it is only the SNP that can give Scotland a strong voice and send a message to Downing Street that it’s time for a General Election.”

That's it James, stick it to the man!!!

Another wild stab in the dark is what the PM has just received from yet another cabinet minister today at 10:00pm as the polling stations closed. There was no warning and absolutely no respect or gratitude for the cabinet position that was given to him ahead of his time.

James Purnell plunged the knife in and looks to have twisted it around a bit in the process by giving his resignation this evening. He wants a leadership contest. He must know that what he has done will result in a general election and the defeat of his party. I think he has thought this through very carefully.

He is young. If Labour go into opposition now then by the time they get back into power, he will be a little bit older and a little bit wiser. He will also have cabinet experience so there is a very good chance if he backs the right horses (and I don't mean Mr Ed!) that he will end up in a very cushy place.

I would not recommend a game of cards with this man and I'm not sure I would lend him a fiver either.

Purnell resignation means we need a General Election now

David Cameron warned the Labour Government is “falling apart in front of our eyes” after James Purnell, the Work and Pensions Secretary, resigned from the Cabinet.

David said, “In a deep recession and political crisis we need a strong Government. Instead we have a Government falling apart in front of our eyes. Britain deserves better than this.”

(DWP) Employers swift to act on Purnell's offer of recruitment subsidies

Nestor Healthcare Group, the Royal Mail, Poundland and Dunelm Mill are just a few of the 142 national companies working with Jobcentre Plus to discuss take up of the Government's recruitment subsidy, which will help unemployed people of six months or more into employment.

The pioneering programme, which went live only last week, is already proving a hit with employers large and small, and gives businesses access to a recruitment subsidy of £1000 and training typically worth £1500 if they take on jobseekers who have been unemployed for six months or more.

Tomorrow (16 April) James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, will visit Kidd's Distribution in Paisley, one of the employers taking up a recruitment subsidy.

Speaking ahead of his visit, James Purnell said:

"Employers have been swift to link-up with Jobcentre Plus to discuss how they might take up this offer.

"The economic downturn is making it hard for many employers to plan for their future employment needs. We are very pleased to be able to offer a package of support which will not only help employers fill their vacancies, but will also help jobseekers find sustainable work so it's a win-win situation."

Orla O'Connor, Head of Recruitment and Retention at Nestor Healthcare Group, said:

"We look forward to working in partnership with Jobcentre Plus through the recruitment subsidy scheme. We'll be launching this in all our branches - around 100 - and will encourage all our managers to advertise recruitment in Jobcentres if they haven't already done so. We are actively seeking care workers and branch staff across all areas of the UK given the successful growth in our business."

Maurice Harbottle, Head of Recruitment Services at Royal Mail, said:

"Royal Mail already enjoys a great working relationship with Jobcentre Plus. Giving our support to the recruitment subsidy scheme is just a logical extension of that work.

"With Jobcentre Plus' support we can focus our recruitment efforts on those candidates who are more likely to be disadvantaged in the current job market; unemployed for six months, or more, and claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA).

"Targeting and employing this group of people brings benefits to everyone; Royal Mail gets a committed employee, the individual gets the security of a steady paycheque and the economy gets money from taxes and employee spending."

Sonia Sharples, Head of HR at Poundland, said:

"The recruitment subsidy will enable us to encourage all of our store managers to offer more people jobs.

"We will continue to recruit into our new stores, for which we have at least 30 planned for this financial year - creating approximately 1200 new jobs."

Louise Barltrop, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at Dunelm Mill, said:

"Dunelm Mill have long supported the active recruitment of candidates who are claiming JSA, having worked closely with Jobcentre Plus over the past few years.

"We see the recruitment subsidy scheme as an excellent extension to this and are keen to encourage those who are long-term unemployed back into work as they have proven to be a great asset to Dunelm Mill.

"Not only will we be recruiting via this scheme but we will also be looking at offering suitable candidates the ability to develop their skills further, by helping them to work towards the Retail NVQ."

(DWP) Purnell: welfare reform is about putting families first

Just as families suffering from drug addiction are being helped to conquer their problems, so the benefits system can better help alcoholics get sober and back to work, said Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell today.

The Government will commission new research, along with an internal review by the Departments of Health and for Work and Pensions, to explore how we can make the benefits system work effectively for alcoholics, following the changes already being made to support drug addicts and require them to take up that support.

The new measures build on the current welfare programme which provides real help for those who need it to get off benefits and back into work, even in the current economic downturn.

Speaking to families at the Dewsbury Moor Community Centre, James Purnell committed to looking at what more government can do to help families suffering from the blight of alcoholism, saying:

"We are providing real help for people looking for work and support for all those who need it to get off benefits - whatever the barriers preventing them. We need to look through the eyes of the person defeated by an addiction that keeps them out of work and on the outside of the community and give them the help they need.

"We have introduced a new policy that will mean heroin and crack addicts get treatment in return for benefits. We will actually help them rather than simply handing them money which ends up in pockets of drug dealers.

"But we can't abandon anyone to long periods on benefits without help to overcome problems. So that's why we are going to look at the arrangements for alcoholics on benefits, just as we did for problem drug users, so that people get the help they need to get sober, to get their life back and get back to work."

James Purnell also talked to people about their experiences of the recession and the pressure unemployment can put on the family, saying:

"I have listened to lots of people here today who have told me how they see their community. Some were getting by or doing well. Some are finding things really tough because they or someone in their family has lost their job in this downturn. Some were struggling long before this downturn arrived. But everyone I met wanted to do the right thing.

"We know couples don't marry for money, but often they do split up because of money worries.

"Ed Balls, the Children, Schools and Families Secretary, is already working with counselling and advice groups to examine how the Government can work with the voluntary sector to provide more help.

"And my own department will be agreeing a national partnership between Relate, the relationship counselling service, and Jobcentre Plus to help families under stress - a partnership that will be open to all families, not just married ones."