Further Expansion of Jobcentre Plus Network Attended by Minister Without Portfolio

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The latest Government Green Paper on Welfare and Benefit Reform has indicated a further push from the State to bring more people off incapacity benefit and into work.

In this challenge, the Jobcentre Plus sites are certain to be to the fore. In coordinating the training programmes so that employers can benefit from the best skilled applicants possible whilst also ensuring that traditional barriers to those returning to work are removed, Jobcentre Plus has an important role to play. As there has been little political opposition to the Green Paper, there should be no obstacle to a swift implementation of the recommendations.

New Centre Opens

Opening the new centre was Minister Without Portfolio Ian McCartney, who spoke briefly at the opening event. He said: “I have campaigned for this new Jobcentre Plus in Ashton. It will make a real difference to the lives of many Ashton families. This is about providing local people with better opportunities. Too many local people are forgotten about when they are out of work and need help in returning to the job market or access to support services.”

The Minister also benefited from the chance to see first hand just what an impact the schemes and programmes run through Jobcentre Plus have on the local community. Mr. McCartney also met certain key local employers at the new centre in Gerrard Street, Ashton, Makerfield, which aims to help local people to obtain a new job, or alternatively to support them in training and give them the advice they require.

Mr. McCartney spoke of the great work that the Jobcentre Plus centres have done, and are set to undertake, saying: “Jobcentre Plus is part of the Government’s investment in improving the help and support that is available to the people who need it most. I would like to pay tribute to the hard working staff in Ashton who have already had great success in helping the most disadvantaged people – in particular lone parents – into work, treating their clients with dignity at very difficult times in their lives. I am pleased that the new Job Centre Plus will assist them to build on this success.”

Jethro Marsh

Does the opening of a new centre bring success? Tell us in the FE Blog

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