- New figures show 347,000 people have moved into work since
January – thanks to a Government-backed drive to fill vacancies
- With one month to go until the campaign ends, the Government
is calling on UK employers to join forces with Jobcentres to help
more people find work
- Alongside vital job support to lift incomes, the new £15bn
package to help with the cost of living will help millions of
households
Over 347,000 unemployed people on benefits have found work in
just four months through the Government’s Way to Work campaign –
an ambitious national push to get half a million more people into
jobs by the end of June.
Today the Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary urged
employers of all sizes to use the free recruitment support from
their local Jobcentre to help fill the record number of vacancies
in the jobs market and support the continued economic recovery by
getting people into work.
Since January, DWP Jobcentres across the UK have been ramping up
operations with weekly jobs fairs – bringing employers in for
face-to-face appointments and offering jobs on the spot to
thousands of people.
Jobseekers walking away with roles have also secured an income,
with those getting full time work set to be thousands of pounds
better off than if they were on benefits. Helping households
improve their finances and manage current cost of living
pressures is a key priority for the government, with a £15bn
package announced yesterday to support almost all of the eight
million most vulnerable households across the
UK.
Today in the North East of England, the Prime Minister and Work
and Pensions Secretary visited CityFibre, a new employer to the
Way to Work campaign who have already benefitted from 200 new
recruits from around the UK, hired through their local
Jobcentres. During the visit, they also met local employees who
have secured skilled jobs as a result of the campaign and the
support of their local Jobcentre.
Prime Minister said:
“I was only ten years old when unemployment was last this low.
“But with a vast number of vacancies in the jobs market, it is
more critical than ever to access the huge pool of untapped
talent in towns and cities right across the country, which is why
I am thrilled with the progress we have made with the Way to Work
scheme.”
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey
said:
“Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s with full time
workers across the UK £6000 better off than if they were on
benefits.
“And there are still vacancies to fill. That’s why our jobcentres
are helping employers short circuit the recruitment process so
they can get talent in fast.
“So, if you’re hiring, make the most of the help on offer from
us.”
Greg Mesch, Chief Executive at CityFibre said:
“CityFibre is rolling out the UK’s finest digital infrastructure
to millions of homes and businesses nationwide. To build these
new Full Fibre networks, we’re creating thousands of new network
construction jobs and providing industry training to those
that need it.
“We and our construction partners are working closely with DWP
nationally, and local Jobcentres, by engaging with schemes like
Way to Work. We look forward to increasing our involvement in the
future.”
Alongside vital job support to help jobseekers secure an income,
the new £15 billion cost of living support package will help
almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across
the UK as they are set to receive help of at least £1,200 this
year, including a new one-off £650 cost of living payment.
The government has also announced a £500 million increase for the
Household Support Fund, delivered by local authorities, extending
it to March 2023. This brings the total Household Support Fund to
£1.5 billion.
