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21/09/2004
New measures set to tackle 'pockets of worklessness'
Improved housing choice, more flexibility for Jobcentre Plus staff and better support for business start-ups are among new measures announce today which are designed to tackle economic and social exclusion.
Minister for Social Exclusion, Jeff Rooker, unveiled the package which aims to tackle "persisting pockets of worklessness across the country".
Under the action plan, contained in a new study by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Social Exclusion Unit, low-cost home ownership will be promoted through job centres, social landlords will get guidance on how to create mixed communities, and business support services will be adapted to help those with unregistered businesses to 'go legit'.
Employment is at record levels with 28.3 million people currently in work. Despite this, there are 3,600,000 people who are considered to be workless and on benefits.
Worklessness in the worst streets is 23 times higher than in the best, and self-employment in these areas is half the rate of England as a whole, according to the report. Six out of the 10 worst areas are found in the Northeast, Northwest and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The study also found that those living in areas of high worklessness have lower expectations of starting a job, and are less likely to start one.
Mr Rooker said: "Living in an area where there are many other workless people can damage a person's life chances, especially those of children and young people.
"The government is therefore committed to removing barriers to work for those who can. These new measures aim to do just that. We want to make sure the benefits of record employment are felt in every neighbourhood in England."
Economic deprivation is closely linked to social exclusion and a wide range of social problems. People who live in deprived areas are 2.5 times more likely to say that crime and anti-social behaviour are a serious problem. Children in deprived areas do worse in test scores as young as 4 years old- even allowing for their family background.
The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday announced a new £100 million growth fund to help drive forward plans for the economic renaissance of the North, including bringing 100,000 people back into work.
(gmcg/mb)
Minister for Social Exclusion, Jeff Rooker, unveiled the package which aims to tackle "persisting pockets of worklessness across the country".
Under the action plan, contained in a new study by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Social Exclusion Unit, low-cost home ownership will be promoted through job centres, social landlords will get guidance on how to create mixed communities, and business support services will be adapted to help those with unregistered businesses to 'go legit'.
Employment is at record levels with 28.3 million people currently in work. Despite this, there are 3,600,000 people who are considered to be workless and on benefits.
Worklessness in the worst streets is 23 times higher than in the best, and self-employment in these areas is half the rate of England as a whole, according to the report. Six out of the 10 worst areas are found in the Northeast, Northwest and Yorkshire and the Humber.
The study also found that those living in areas of high worklessness have lower expectations of starting a job, and are less likely to start one.
Mr Rooker said: "Living in an area where there are many other workless people can damage a person's life chances, especially those of children and young people.
"The government is therefore committed to removing barriers to work for those who can. These new measures aim to do just that. We want to make sure the benefits of record employment are felt in every neighbourhood in England."
Economic deprivation is closely linked to social exclusion and a wide range of social problems. People who live in deprived areas are 2.5 times more likely to say that crime and anti-social behaviour are a serious problem. Children in deprived areas do worse in test scores as young as 4 years old- even allowing for their family background.
The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday announced a new £100 million growth fund to help drive forward plans for the economic renaissance of the North, including bringing 100,000 people back into work.
(gmcg/mb)
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