This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pathways to Work pilots hailed a success
19/08/2004
First Minister Jack McConnell and Secretary of State
Alistair Darling today met successful participants of the
Pathways to Work scheme during a visit to Paisley.
The new Government programme has helped more than 500
Scots get back to work after long spells of
unemployment.
The Renfrewshire pilot provides specialist help to
people claiming Incapacity Benefit. The support package
includes advice from Personal Advisers, a Return to work
Credit of £40 per week for those earning up to £15,000 per
year and assistance from specialist programmes including
rehabilitation services through the NHS.
Alistair Darling and Jack McConnell met Jim Ferns now
working at B&Q as a result of the pilot programme and
Anne Wood who joined Erskine Pine through the programme
including help from the NHS rehabilitation therapist.
Alistair Darling said:
"Jim and Anne's stories are proof that the Government is
right to address this issue and help those who want to work
achieve their goal of getting a job. Too often in the past
people on incapacity benefit have been written off by
employers and society as a whole, which has locked them
into a vicious circle of low self esteem and increased
dependency.
"This is not about forcing sick or disabled people into
work. It is about encouraging and helping those who want
to work get back into the workforce.
"The pilot in Renfrewshire is proving to be a successful
partnership of Government, the Scottish Executive, business
and the voluntary sector working together to address the
needs of those requiring extra help to find a job."
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"If Scotland's economy is to continue to grow, then we
need to make sure that everyone who wants to work, can.
That is why programmes such as Pathways to Work are so
important.
"They help give people back their dignity, and by
preparing them for employment, these programmes also help
individual Scots contribute to their country's success.
The pilot has a target to move 1,000 people a year from
benefit into work. In the 4 months from April to July
about 550 people have already found work.
Pilots in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde & Argyll and
Bute, Bridgend, Rhondda, Cynon and Taff, Derbyshire, East
Lancashire, Essex, Gateshead and South Tyneside and
Somerset will run to April, 2006.
Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Argyll & Bute is the
only Scottish Pilot.
With the exception of exempt categories, all new
Incapacity Benefit customers in the pilot areas will attend
a series of work-focused interviews with a specially
trained IB personal adviser starting eights weeks after
their claim begins.
Support in the pilot areas will include new Condition
Management Programmes for IB claimants provided jointly by
Jobcentre Plus with the NHS.
Financial incentives will include immediate access to a
discretionary fund of up to £300 to help find a job.