-
£500,000 will help start up innovative programmes to
help marginalised women return to work
-
Around 1.8 million women are currently economically
inactive because they are caring for their home or family -
more than eight times the number of men in that
position
-
The new fund opens today for organisations and
charities across England
Victims of domestic abuse, homelessness or substance abuse, will
be supported to return to work by a new government fund, launched
today (7 Feb) by the Minister for Women and Equalities
.
In the UK, around 1.8 million women are currently economically
inactive because they are caring for their home or family, this
is more than eight times the number of men in that position. Nine
out of 10 potential returners to work are women.
The new £500,000 fund, which opens today for organisations around
England, follows Ms Mordaunt’s commitment
to put marginalised women at the heart of the Government
Equalities Office’s (GEO) work, and to publish a strategy in
late spring setting out how government will work to
economically empower all women.
Grants will only go to those organisations which can show they
have direct relationships with employers who can offer jobs
opportunities. They will support parents and carers - men and
women - back into the workplace through training, refreshing
skills and facilitating work placements.
The funding will support vulnerable people who struggle to return
to work, such as:
- Victims of domestic abuse, including economic abuse
- People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
- People who speak little to no English
- People with substance abuse support needs
- People with mental or physical health issues
- People who can’t access public funds due to their immigration
status, but who have the right to work
- Ex-offenders
- People struggling to cope with their economic circumstances
- Women who experience multiple barriers due to their gender
and their faith, sexual orientation and/or gender identity
Minister for Women and Equalities said:
“For too long caring responsibilities, language barriers or the
terrible impacts of domestic abuse have held many women back from
having the freedom, support and choice to do what they want to
do.
“I want all these women to be given the chance to reach their
full potential, which is why we are investing in them to grow
their skills and their confidence, so they feel ready to return
to work when they want to.
“By supporting women at all stages of their lives, we are tapping
into previously ignored talent, addressing gender inequality in
the workplace and helping our economy grow.”
Studies have shown that time out of work and fewer years of
full-time work are two of the reasons women struggle. Analysis by
the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that time out of the
labour market has a substantial impact of women’s salaries. On
returning to work, women earn around 2% less on average for every
year spent out of paid work.
Last year the government guaranteed £1.5 million to get people
with caring responsibilities back into work. So far, £489,050 has
already been awarded to five organisations, and the remaining
£1.01m will be awarded soon.
To ensure the GEO is at the heart of the government’s on
equalities, last year Ms Mordaunt announced it will join Cabinet Office from 1
April. GEO will work across government and with business and
civil society to tackle persistent inequalities that limit
economic empowerment at every stage of life.
Notes to editors:
Information on the grant can be found here.
