Unemployment figures show we risk a lost generation says Steve Webb

“The Government needs to look urgently at the gaps in the safety net to make sure that people who are out of work are getting the support that they need to see them through this difficult period." Commenting on today’s figures which reveal that unemployment has soared to around 2.44m - the highest figure since 1995, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Steve Webb said:

“For many people who’ve never experienced unemployment before, Gordon Brown’s rhetoric about getting people back to work will feel like cold comfort.

“The widening gap between the number of unemployed people and the number of people claiming benefits shows vulnerable people aren’t getting the help they need.

“The Government needs to look urgently at the gaps in the safety net to make sure that people who are out of work are getting the support that they need to see them through this difficult period.

“Unemployment assistance needs to be more personalised and JobCentre staff need to be given the resources necessary to help people get back on their feet quickly.

“Young people should be getting intensive support as soon as they sign on instead of having to wait a year for a guarantee of a job or training place. With vacancies at a record low, it is vital that we prevent today’s school and university leavers from becoming a lost generation of long-term unemployed.”rt more money to the front line rather than to bureaucrats.”

(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."