WELFARE REFORM IS CRUCIAL TO GET ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE BACK INTO WORK
18/07/07 | 09:05
David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“The number of people who rely on benefits in the UK is too high and threatens our future competitiveness. Parts of the country have been blighted by a cycle of low aspiration and welfare dependency with far too many school leavers going straight from education to claiming benefits.
“It is critically important that those who have been economically inactive for long periods of time are adequately prepared for the world of work. This is not only about ensuring candidates have the right skills but also the work ethic which will ensure they stay in work for the long-term.
"Front-line services need to be working with employers across the UK to ensure that they are tailoring training to the skills needs of particular regions. Pushing people off welfare and back into the labour market without the right advice and support will only ensure that the system is undermined”.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:NOTES TO EDITORS:The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the National Voice of Local Business.
The BCC sits at the heart of a powerful nationwide network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce serving business across the UK, which employ over five million people.