Watchdog's findings back London Councils' call for flexible job schemes

The conclusions of a recent National Audit Office report that, despite national progress, worklessness and child poverty remain a 'particular problem' in London, have been welcomed by London Councils.

This conclusion backs up London Councils' call for greater flexibility in government employment initiatives to help unemployed Londoners find and keep hold of jobs.

Speaking on the report's findings, London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell said:

"This report clearly backs up our arguments that many of the government's current methods of tackling worklessness are failing Londoners.

"Children and adults are being pushed into poverty by a system of nationally run employment targets and mainstream services that cannot meet the very specific needs  of inner-city London residents.

"We are calling on government to commit to funding community regeneration schemes like the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund so that Londoners can get the targeted help and support they need to get into work and out of poverty."

In February 2007, London Councils released a report entitled The Future of Community Regeneration Funding, which called for greater coordination and flexibility from government employment initiatives.

Local Strategic Partnerships - which are responsible for co-ordinating services within their boroughs - are in a good position to help match employment schemes to the specific needs of their area. London Councils is calling on government to strengthen these partnerships and ensure that regional agencies, such as Jobcentre and Learning and Skills Council, are working with LSPs in order to achieve the priorities in their Local Area Agreement (LAA).

Notes to editors:

The report, Helping people from workless households into work, was released by the National Audit Office on Thursday 19 July.

The report states that, despite national progress, worklessness and child poverty remain a particular problem in the capital - with one in four London households workless, compared with the national average of one in six.

It identifies various factors that have increased poverty levels in London, including the higher cost of living and working in the capital; and that the bulk of new jobs created in London in recent years have been for high-skilled work.

What London needs from the Comprehensive Spending Review

The Future of Community Regeneration Funding

 
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