E2.75 billion of European Social Fund money will be invested in jobs and skills in England over the next seven years,
‘E2.75 billion of European Social Fund (ESF) money will be invested in jobs and skills in England over the next seven years, announced Work and Pensions Minister James Plaskitt today [30th Otober 2006].
The new ESF programme, which supports employment and training projects in the Member States of the European Union, will help to extend employment opportunities and develop skills across the country.
There will be a national ESF programme for England to ensure money is targeted effectively. The national programme will also help strengthen the role of Regional Skills Partnerships to address distinctive regional and local needs.
Launching a consultation on spending future ESF money James Plaskitt said: "This money is a welcome investment in our employment and skills over the next seven years. Our national welfare reforms are delivering results and there are record numbers of people in work, but we still have further to go.
"The European Social Fund will enable us to provide additional support to people who remain unemployed or inactive in the labour market. In particular, we want to focus the new programme on disadvantaged people who face barriers to work, and people who lack basic skills and qualifications.
"Our aim is to align European Social Fund spending with our successful national and regional employment and skills strategies, so that EU money adds value to and complements our domestic spending."
The consultation seeks views from interested organisations on the activities that will be supported by the new programme and how it will be delivered. The consultation ends on 22 January 2007.’
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Website www.dwp.gov.uk
Source: DWP press release
