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Long–term unemployed to receive specialist help: Pathways to Work for those on benefits is rolled–out
The final phase of the Government's Pathways to Work programme to get people off incapacity benefit and into employment was recently announced by the Department of Work and Pensions [DWP]. Eight organisations were awarded contracts to deliver Pathways to Work in 16 Jobcentre Plus districts from April 2008 which completes the national roll–out across Great Britain. Pathways to Work provides support from skilled personal advisors from the public, private and voluntary sectors who are to ensure that the long–term unemployed receive the specialist help they need. This includes extra one–to–one work–focused interviews, groundbreaking rehabilitation support, a Return to Work Credit of £40 a week and in work assistance. According to Government figures 69,000 people have already been helped back to employment by the Pathways to Work programme and by April 2008 anyone on incapacity benefits will have access to a pathways' service. This follows a multi–million pound package launched in 2007 to help people with mental health conditions find and keep work. The recent changes will be joined by a new medical test to assess work capability later in the year. This will be introduced alongside the new employment and support allowance which replaces incapacity benefit in October 2008. For further information visit the DWP website at: www.dwp.gov.uk. From your browser | Email the page | Email the page link | Print the page | Add page to favourites ········································································································································
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