European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
Minister visits ‘Parents into Work’ Project
James Plaskitt, Work and Pensions Minister for ESF, visited the ‘Parents into Work’ ESF project in Taunton on 29 November. The project is run by Somerset Council for Christian Care and is working to improve the employment prospects of local jobless parents.
The project is being financed by £690,000 of ESF money from Jobcentre Plus and has so far helped more than 80 people find work. In total the project aims to help 400 people.
During his visit to the project James Plaskitt said:
“I am extremely pleased to visit the ‘Parents into Work’ project to see for myself the real difference it makes to people’s lives. Vulnerable people in our most deprived communities have been given new opportunities thanks to ESF funding delivered in partnership with the public, private and voluntary sectors.
“More people now have basic skills and qualifications, and more people are moving towards employment or are in jobs. We believe that work is the best route out of poverty and dependence.”
Charles Minall from the ‘Parent’s into Work’ project said:
“The project provides individual support, advice and mentoring to extend employment opportunities and then delivers the support they need. As well as providing access to employment there are also options to take up voluntary work, vocational training and Jobcentre Plus programmes.
“As well as providing access to employment there are also options to take up voluntary work, vocational training and Jobcentre Plus programmes.”
The Somerset Council for Christian Care ‘Parents into Work’ ESF project is funded via Jobcentre Plus Co-financing from the 2000-2006 England ESF Objective 3 Programme. The South West Region has received a total of £160 million ESF Objective 3 funding in 2000-2006.
A new ESF programme for England will run from 2007-2013. Its priorities will be to extend employment opportunities for unemployed and disadvantaged people and to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce. The new programme will invest £95 million of ESF funding in the South West (excluding Cornwall which benefits from £134 million of ESF ‘Convergence’ funding) helping 85,000 people improve their skills and job prospects in 2007-2013.
