Lancashire meanwhile is in line for a significant £38.8m funding boost. With these investments, even more residents will be able to get back to work all across the region. This financial support is provided through the UK government’s Connect to Work programme. It provides £100 million shared between four regions of the UK. This new pilot will help serve an estimated 11,000 participants directly. It hones in on the unitary authority areas of Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool.
During her visit, she announced the funding and spoke about how it will benefit the local economy. During her visit, she underscored how important this investment is for changing lives. Beyond… read more Making education equitable SRB’s work isn’t limited to only responding and protecting the environment.
“This latest funding will make a real difference in the lives of people across the country,” said McGovern. She highlighted the Administration’s robust commitment to reach an 80% employment rate nationally. Yet, as she noted, Preston is lagging behind at an employment rate of about 70%.
The Connect to Work program aims to increase job access for those with employment barriers. Additionally, it offers key forms of support to enable them to surmount these barriers. McGovern is calling on employers the size of BAE to genuinely engage with the DWP in collaboration. She envisions that this new partnership will increase recruitment of people who are typically under-represented.
“I want the likes of BAE and others to be recruiting through the DWP and helping people who might be perhaps overlooked to really get a job and get a start,” McGovern stated.
Local resident Julie Griffin, 23, from Blackpool, opened up about her experiences and the challenges she has faced in finding employment. “When I was not working, I would just stay at home in bed and then I’d get really anxious and frightened to the point I wouldn’t go out,” she recalled. So Griffin’s experience points to the importance of initiatives like Connect to Work. These programs are a critical lifeline for people undergoing the same experience.
McGovern expressed her optimism about the future of Lancashire’s economy, stating, “I know that will set Lancashire well up for the future and its economic growth.” This funding is intended not just to help low-income people get to a job, but to help communities prosper economically.
Political reporter Gina Millson of BBC Lancashire met with the government’s ambition. They’ve already set their sights on places such as Lancashire becoming central to their economic plan. The focus on creating and supporting jobs is intended to have everyone join the president’s economic agenda.
