30 October 2006 - European Social Fund provides cash boost to help unemployed back into work
€2.75 billion of European Social Fund (ESF) money will be invested in jobs and skills in England over the next seven years, announced Work and Pensions Minister James Plaskitt today.
The new ESF programme, which supports employment and training projects in the Member States of the European Union, will help to extend employment opportunities and develop skills across the country.
There will be a national ESF programme for England to ensure money is targeted effectively. The national programme will also help strengthen the role of Regional Skills Partnerships to address distinctive regional and local needs.
Launching a consultation on spending future ESF money James Plaskitt said: “This money is a welcome investment in our employment and skills strategies over the next seven years. Our national welfare reforms are delivering results and there are record numbers of people in work, but we still have further to go.
“The European Social Fund will enable us to provide additional support to people who remain unemployed or inactive in the labour market. In particular, we want to focus the new programme on disadvantaged people who face barriers to work, and people who lack basic skills and qualifications.
“Our aim is to align European Social Fund spending with our successful national and regional employment and skills strategies, so that EU money adds value to and complements our domestic spending.”
The consultation seeks views from interested organisations on the activities that will be supported by the new programme and how it will be delivered. The consultation ends on 22 January 2007.
Notes to editors
- The consultation document, draft European Social Fund (ESF) programme, response form and supporting annexes are available on the ESF website at www.esf.gov.uk
- The launch of the consultation follows the publication by DTI, on 23 October 2006, of the UK’s National Strategic Reference Framework for the 2007-2013 round of Structural Fund programmes. The Framework establishes the high levelpriorities for spending future Structural Funds in the UK, and indicative allocations for UK’s nations and regions. The Framework is available on the DTI website at: http://www.dti.gov.uk/consultations/page28796.html
- Since 2000, ESF has helped over 2.3 million people in England to improve their employability and skills. Learning and Skills Councils, Jobcentre Plus and other agencies combine ESF with domestic funds to expand and enhance employment and skills provision in England. The new ESF programme for 2007-2013 will support the Government's strategies to increase employment and to improve the skills of young people and adults.
- The Regional Skills Partnerships have been established to address skills and employment priorities within each region. The Partnerships bring together the key partners responsible for employment and skills provision at regional level. They are therefore well placed to play a leading role in developing regional ESF strategies.
- Member States are currently preparing new European Social Fund programmes for 2007-2013. The consultation exercise covers the new programme for England.
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