HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Business backs welfare to work top companies commitment to jobs programme [September 1997]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 11 September 1997.

Some of Britain’s major companies have committed themselves totaking part in the New Deal for the young and long term unemployed, Chancellor Gordon Brown told the Churches’ Enquiry Into Unemployment and the Future of Work today.

Welcoming the companies’ commitment, Gordon Brown said:

” Two months ago I met business representatives to launch  the New Deal for the young and long term unemployed.Today I can report encouraging progress :

•   Allied Domecq expect to offer at least 1000 opportunities
•   Tesco guarantee to interview all New deal applicants for work in their stores
•   Ford will substantially increase training places for unskilled young people
•   Nat West small business advisers will promote the New Deal to clients aiming   to increase their workforce.

” Other companies coming up with ways to support the New Deal include BAA, Radisson Hotel group, Lloyds-TSB, Rover, Dixons, Marks & Spencer, Sainsburys, Unipart, Amersham International, Northern Foods, Grand Metropolitan, GEC, Rover, Jaguar, Peugeot, the Prudential and Tarmac.

” Such progress so soon reflects the commitment of business to tackling the problems of unemployment in Britain as part of the Government’s welfare to work programme. “

The Chancellor also set out progress in developing coaching and mentoring schemes,  opportunities for self employment and the role of churches in the New Deal. He continued :

” David Blunkett and I will shortly set out to recruit up to 50,000 coaches and outside independent mentors to encourage the young in the workplace. All  will be
volunteers, some professionals, others who have already successfully   moved from welfare to work.

” For many young people, self-employment offers another route from welfare to work. We are looking at ways to  help and support them take the first steps towards
running their own business, with training and support from those who have already succeeded.

” The churches’ leadership represents an important  contribution to helping the most disadvantaged. I want us to work together to achieve more, to promote awareness
and debate.

“Each Church and church member can be an ambassador for the New Deal in their own area. You know at first hand the problems in the communities you represent, and you know local employers.

“Talk to them. Ask them how many unemployed they are planning to take on under the New Deal. Challenge them to make use of under-used training facilities.

“Talk to the young unemployed. Help them to raise their  sights, motivate them and help to unlock the potential which each has and which must be fulfilled.

“Most of all, help us to remove the fatalism and cynicism which abounds. Replace it with your energy and inspiration.

 “Together we can achieve what your Report aspires to: to challenge defeatism and complacency in the interests of the most disadvantaged in the community. “