150 top british employers backing young britain 85,000 opportunities pledged for young people

Over 150 top British employers have thrown their weight behind Backing Young Britain, a national campaign to create new opportunities for thousands of young people during the recession.

Government and employers are pledging an extra 85,000 opportunities for young people today. These range from Morrisons pledging new training for every one of its 36,000 employees under the age of 25, to Government providing help to get 45,000 young people into jobs in retail, tourism, leisure and hospitality.

There are also 5,000 new opportunities, including apprenticeships from companies including Centrica, Carillion and Royal Mail. Other employers backing the campaign, and pledging support include Microsoft, Bovis Lendlease, Pfizer and Phones4U.

The Prime Minister, Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper and top employers signed up to Backing Young Britain, met 250 young people at a Youth Summit at Birmingham City Football Club today.

Gordon Brown said:

"I am delighted that 150 employers recognise the value of Backing Young Britain and have joined the campaign. Together we can create thousands of opportunities for young people and ensure that the next generation gets its foot on the career ladder.

"This Government will do everything we can to help people who are suffering because of the global economic downturn. We know that people of all ages are being hit by the recession, but it is young people who can be most at risk and that's where Backing Young Britain can really make a difference."

Young people also took part in a panel debate with the Prime Minister and Yvette Cooper, hosted by BBC TV’s Anita Rani. Other members of the panel included Martina Milburn from the Prince’s Trust, Sam Laidlaw from Centrica, Imran Hakim of iTeddy and Jill Youds from Virgin Media.

In July, the Government announced the first 47,000 jobs from the £1bn Future Jobs Fund, which will create 100,000 new jobs targeted at young people.

The Government also announced 45,000 new training and support opportunities to help young people move into sectors that need new talent and have jobs to fill including hospitality, leisure, tourism and retail. In the last three months, over 70,000 vacancies were notified to Jobcentre Plus in retail alone, and the Government is working with industry to make sure young people get the chance to take up more of these jobs.

If young people are job ready, they will be helped into a job, with a financial incentive to employers who take them on. If they are not, they will get the training they need and then be helped to find work.

Yvette Cooper said:

“We will not lose a generation of young people to work because of the global recession. We already have over 150 of Britain’s top employers signing up to Backing Young Britain to create opportunities for young people. It is crucial for all of us that we make sure we do everything we can to harness the skills and talent of young people now so that we can all benefit in the future. We are acting now so that unemployment does not scar families, communities and the economy for generations.”

The Government also said that over 230,000 unemployed people have been helped into jobs through Local Employment Partnerships; with more than 25,000 employers signed up to work with Jobcentre Plus to help unemployed people back to work.

LEPs help employers to recruit more people, such as the long-term unemployed, for whom the jobs market can be particularly tough, and can involve such measures as guaranteed interviews, special recruitment processes, pre-employment training and work trials.

Young people will also get the help they need sooner: 18-24 year olds will be able to take up a new job from the Future Jobs Fund earlier – after claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for ten months rather than a year, from April 2010.

Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said:
"Today's package of support for young people is a win-win situation for everyone. The benefits will be felt by the person who gets a foot on the employment ladder, the business gets a new addition to the team, and the country as a whole.

“Work experience, offering internships to graduates and investing in skills and training are vital to equipping young people and businesses with the tools to come out of the downturn in a strong position."

To find out more about how to join the Backing Young Britain Campaign visit www.hmg.gov.uk/backingyoungbritain

Workers Memorial Day consultation begins

The government today launched a consultation into officially recognising Workers Memorial Day to remember those who lose their lives at work.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper confirmed the consultation would look at how the day could be officially recognised in the UK. The Government wants to give bereaved families, unions who represent workers, and the public, the opportunity to have their say about how they would like to mark the day and commemorate those who have died. She said:

“It is a tragedy that some people go out to work and then never return home to their families. I want to look at what the UK can do to remember the thousands of workers who have lost their lives.

“I know there are many ideas for consideration, including a lasting memorial. Many countries already recognise Workers Memorial Day, to commemorate those who have been killed, seriously injured or made ill through work.”

Despite the UK having one of the best health and safety records in the world, there were still 180 workplace fatalities in Britain in 2008/09. Many more die as a result of diseases incurred when they are working. Every year, for example, there are around 4,000 cancer deaths due to past exposure to asbestos, and every working day, over 400 people are seriously injured at work. Accidents and ill health are estimated to cost society £20bn a year.

Following its inception in Canada in 1984, Workers Memorial Day is already recognised as a national day in many countries around the world including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Luxembourg, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Taiwan and the USA.

Since the early 1990s, the day has become the focal point for an increasing number of commemorative events involving the bereaved, trade unionists, the TUC, Government bodies and Local Authorities among others.

The consultation is published today and runs until 19 October 2009. For further information please follow the link: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/

Cooper: trailblazers at the heart of initiative to support disabled people

Trailblazing local authorities are being invited to help shape the way services are delivered to disabled people, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper told local authorities today

Yvette Cooper encouraged local authorities to work with Jobcentre Plus offices and develop proposals to become Right to Control trailblazers.

Right to Control is a shake-up of the way disabled people can use the funding they receive from the state and is part of the Government’s radical welfare reforms. The trailblazers will test how this could work in practice.

Yvette Cooper said:

“Local authorities have an exciting opportunity to shape the way services supporting disabled people are delivered in the future. This will put the wishes of the individual at the heart of the system. I am, today, urging local authorities to work with local agencies and Government to develop innovative approaches through trailblazers.”

Jonathan Shaw said:

“We understand that disabled people are the experts in their own lives. The Right to Control will give them power to choose the support they need and trailblazer sites will play a vital role in shaping this scheme.”

The Right to Control, which is a major part of the Government’s goal to achieve equality for disabled people by 2025, gives disabled people the power to decide who delivers their services and how they receive them.

Individuals and organisations can take part in the Right to Control consultation by visiting www.odi.gov.uk/right-to-control or calling 020 7449 5093

Building a society for all ages: Choice for older people

The Government is today launching a strategy “Building A Society For All Ages”, to help Britain prepare for our ageing society.

Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society Angela Eagle said:

“The Government is already taking action so that we can all make the most of the opportunities that longer lives bring. We have fundamentally reformed our pension system, increasing the state pension age and making sure that much greater numbers of people are saving adequately for their retirement. We are outlawing age discrimination in goods, facilities and services and will shortly publish options for reforming care and support. We are now at a demographic tipping point and today’s strategy will build on foundations to equip the UK to meet the needs and aspirations of the future.”

With pensioners now outnumbering school children, the Government is acting to make sure we are all – as individuals and families, as communities and service providers – prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

The strategy, the latest in the series of announcements to follow the publication of the Government's plan for 'Building Britain's Future', draws together action to help individuals, families, businesses, public services and communities respond to demographic change. It follows the Government’s major reforms to respond to demographic change including the Turner reforms to the Pension system, the measures to outlaw age discrimination in the new Equality Bill, and the new Care and Support Green Paper to be published this week.

As part of helping the economy respond to an ageing society, a review of the Default Retirement Age (DRA) will be brought forward to take place next year. Currently employers can require all staff to retire at 65 regardless of their circumstances. The majority of people retire before 65, however 1.3m people choose to work beyond state pension age, and many more say they would work past 65 if their employer permitted it. The Government had previously promised to review the DRA in 2011 to see if it was still needed, but Ministers have brought the review forward to respond to changing demographic and economic circumstances.

Speaking about the Default Retirement Age, Angela went on to say;
“It is time to look again at this. Some people prefer to take early retirement, others prefer to keep working. We want to give older people flexible retirement options. The Government is responding to the changed economic landscape. The different circumstances today - for businesses, and for individuals coming up to retirement - suggest that an earlier review is appropriate. As Britain's demographics change, it is sensible that we have the debate on what works for business and individuals. The retirement laws need to reflect modern social and economic circumstances.”

The Government also believes that more needs to be done to respond to changing families as a result of the ageing society – with grandparents playing a stronger role and more people caring for elderly relatives. Building on the National Insurance measures taken in the budget to help those caring for grandchildren, a summit will take place in the autumn to explore the changing role of grandparents more widely and what more we can do to support them in maintaining strong relationships with their grandchildren after parental separation and divorce.

The Government believes that public services need to make responding to older people part of the mainstream of services and we will also work with local authorities to increase participation in later life by using smartcard technology to provide all-in-one cards giving access to a range of local opportunities. Smart card technology is already used in bus passes; these have the potential to also be used in leisure centres, libraries, sports clubs and other services. We will work with local authorities to test an all in one smart card that provides both central and local government entitlements.

Mid life health checks will be available on the NHS for everyone over 40 to help people prepare for a healthier old age.

COOPER: JOBS ARE THE TOP PRIORITY

Helping people back into work as quickly as possible is vital, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper said today.

New figures out from the UK Statistics Authority show that, although there has been another rise in overall unemployment, the number of new claims being made for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) has fallen for the second month in a row, and the numbers leaving JSA each month continue to rise.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Yvette Cooper said:

“Today’s figures show the importance of providing extra help for people and families coping with unemployment. Families across Britain are continuing to feel the consequences of the global recession. Unemployment has increased in Britain and across the world, although it is lower here than in the US and the Euro-zone.

“It is vital we do everything we can both to help people into work right now, and to prevent long term unemployment scarring families and communities for the future. That is why we are investing £5bn extra into helping jobseekers – creating jobs for young people and those in the hardest hit communities, delivering training and skills, and providing 16,000 extra frontline staff in Jobcentres across the country.

“The figures show the number of new claimants has fallen for the last two months, but many people are still facing significant difficulties and we are determined to provide more help.

“We will not turn our backs on people who need help. Nor will we stand by while people slip into the kind of long term unemployment or worklessness that scarred families in past recessions.”

Since November 2008 the Government has invested £5bn in helping jobseekers. This includes the £1bn Future Jobs Fund which will help create 150,000 new jobs for young people and those in the most deprived areas.

The investment also includes extra help for all customers at day one and six months of their claim, as well as more support for Jobcentre Plus, including a trial to extend the opening hours so staff can dedicate more time and help to those who need it most. This is on top of the extra 16,000 Jobcentre Plus staff being employed to help offices deal with increased numbers of jobseekers.

New figures released today also show little change in the number of people claiming inactive benefits in contrast to previous recessions.

UK ratifies human rights treaty for disabled people

The UK has today ratified an international treaty that enshrines the human rights of disabled people, Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People has announced.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a powerful and explicit statement, which states that disabled people must be able to enjoy, on an equal basis, the same human rights as others.

Jonathan Shaw said: "There are an estimated 650 million disabled people in the world, including over 10 million in the UK. The ratification of the Convention is a very significant landmark, for disabled people and for UK Government and society as a whole. Not only does it show the Government's commitment to equality of human rights for disabled people, but our determination to achieve equality by 2025.

"Now that we have ratified we can start implementing the Convention, building on the approach towards disability equality set out in our 2005 report 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People'. We aim to start the Parliamentary process for ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention shortly."

(DWP) Real help with your council tax and rent bills - Winterton

The DWP is writing to 200,000 pensioners who get Pension Credit to encourage them to contact their local council to check if they are entitled to help with their Council Tax or housing costs.

This comes after the Pension Credit standard minimum guarantee increased this April by the biggest amount since it was introduced, bringing it to £130 a week for single pensioners or £198.45 for a couple.

Pensions Minister Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP said:

"We want everyone to receive all the help that they are entitled to, especially in these difficult times. Some people on Pension Credit might not be aware that they can also receive help with their rent and Council Tax.

"It can make a real difference. A pensioner with the guarantee element of Pension Credit, with average rent and Council Tax liabilities, could have a weekly income equivalent to around £215 a week."

"I also want more people to claim all the benefits they are entitled to which is why, from last November, we have made it easier to claim State Pension, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit in just one easy free phone call, without the need to sign and return any claim forms."

Pensioners who receive the letters should contact their local council. Any pensioner who wants to apply for Pension Credit itself can call the hotline on 0800 991234

In the 2009 Budget the Chancellor announced that the capital threshold in Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for pensioners will be increased from £6,000 to £10,000 from November 2009. This means that the first £10,000 of capital will be fully disregarded. Half a million of the poorest pensioners stand to benefit from this change with an average weekly gain across all three benefits of £4 a week.

The government is also repeating the increased level of winter fuel payments. For winter 2009/2010, the Winter Fuel Payment for households with someone aged 60-79 will increase from £200 to £250 and from £300 to £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over.

(DWP) New anti-discrimination treaty for disabled people on track for June

A major UN treaty that will enshrine the human rights of disabled people will soon be ratified by the UK, Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, announced today.

Covering all aspects of life, including health, education, employment and access to justice, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) reaffirms that disabled people have - and should be able to enjoy - their human rights on an equal basis with non-disabled people.

Jonathan Shaw said: "I'm pleased to say the Parliamentary processes for ratification are complete, and we are now on track to formally ratify the Convention in June. After careful consideration it remains our view that the handful of reservations and the interpretative declaration are required and we will proceed on that basis. Once ratified we can start implementing the Convention, which will have a positive impact on the lives of disabled people.

"The Government has always been very clear about the importance of this Convention. Ratification is a further demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the equality of human rights for disabled people, and our determination to achieve equality by 2025."

(DWP) Countries comes together to fight benefit fraud

Today, the Department for Work and Pensions will sign a historic arrangement with five other countries to enhance cooperation on tackling benefit fraud. This costs the UK taxpayer £800 million a year.

Recognising the benefits of mutual co-operation, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand have come together to sign the 'Windsor Arrangement' which aims to achieve stronger prevention, earlier detection and effective deterrence of benefit fraud.

DWP Permanent Secretary Leigh Lewis said today:

"The six countries that have signed this agreement today are all committed to fighting benefit fraud. This arrangement will ensure each country works together more systematically and, in turn, increase our individual and collective protection against those who seek to defraud our benefit systems. This historic agreement is just another sign of the cooperation enjoyed between our countries."

The six signatories have agreed to work together to share intelligence and risk profiling, to share strategies and best practice for combating fraud, to determine scope for carrying out investigations and enforcement for each other and to enhance understanding of the nature and extent of identity fraud.

(DWP) 'we're closing in' on benefit thieves in Spain

The Department for Work and Pensions has extended its successful benefit cheats hotline to the Costa del Sol and Canary Islands following its launch in Alicante in September 2008.

Residents in these popular ex-pat areas can report suspected British benefit thieves to a local number and their concerns will be passed on by the operator of the hotline to a team of investigators in the UK.

Employment and Welfare Reform Minister Tony McNulty said:
"We are absolutely determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer. Our commitment extends beyond the borders of the UK. Even in sunny Spain, we're closing in on benefit fraud."

A publicity campaign, 'We're closing in', in the local ex-pat media is raising awareness of the hotline as well as a dedicated web site where suspected British benefit thieves living abroad can be reported on-line.

The total cost of benefit fraud committed by UK benefit recipients living in or travelling to countries abroad is an estimated £63 million a year. It involves a range of scams such as people on means-tested benefits going abroad but failing to declare their absence, and individuals working while claiming sickness benefits.

This initiative is part of a growing relationship between Spain and the UK on social security issues that already includes agreements to data-match and share death notifications.

(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."