Commenting on the Government’s new £2.9 billion Restart programme to support the long term unemployed back into employment, Cllr Sir Richard Leese, Chair of the Local Government Association City Regions board said:
“It is clear that we face a growing and stark unemployment crisis. To maximise the impact it is vital that councils and combined authorities are given a leading role in the Government’s new £2.9 billion Restart programme so they can work locally to bring together local services that the unemployed will need and rely on.
“Evidence demonstrates that localised programmes deliver more success than centralised employment and skills schemes run from Whitehall, which often struggle to deliver for the economy, employers or individuals.
Councils and combined authorities are best-placed to understand the needs of long term unemployed people in their communities, already helping them with issues such as housing and debt management. With the right funding and powers, councils and combined authorities can take the lead to tackle the employment crisis facing the nation and get the economy moving.”
“We now urge the Government to work with us to ensure support is delivered to optimal impact for people and places.”
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