July 29, 2009

MP WELCOMES SOUTH YORKSHIRE'S SUCCESSFUL JOBS FUND BID

Wentworth MP John Healey has welcomed news that South Yorkshire’s bid for government funding for new jobs has been successful.

The government’s £1 billion Future Jobs Fund was set up in part as a response to a report by Barnsley Council leader Steve Houghton, which looked at the role councils could play in tackling worklessness in their areas.

The fund will create 150,000 jobs for people at risk of unemployment, helping guarantee work or training for every 18 to 24 year old in danger of becoming unemployed and supporting 50,000 jobs for adults in disadvantaged areas.

Mr Healey was closely involved in the policy which was announced when he was local government minister, before he moved to housing. In May he wrote to the county’s four council leaders urging them to lead bids from this area.

The four local authorities submitted a joint proposal which will mean the creation of 2,000 jobs.

Mr Healey helped launch the first Jobs Fund approvals in Rotherham with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper, today.

He said: “I am pleased our councils have recognised that this fund is well suited to the needs of our local labour markets and offers a great opportunity to help young people who are looking for work, while improving communities and the environment.”