£2.9bn to Restart job hunt for over a million unemployed

A new multi-billion pound support package aimed at helping the long-term unemployed fire up their job search and return to work has been announced.

The £2.9bn Restart scheme will give jobseekers – who have been out of work for 12 months or more – intensive support to find jobs in their local area, and break down any employment barriers that could be holding them back from finding work.

Using their in-depth knowledge of the local jobs market, advisors will work with organisations across communities including Local Authorities, to deliver tailored support based on the jobseeker’s specific needs.

This might include bespoke training to switch into growth sectors, help to excel at recruitment stage, or support to get the right certificates to take up a job in a different industry such as construction or transport or to update skills such as IT.

Through fortnightly meetings, specialists will develop a strong understanding of their employment history and serve as a vital support network, helping them boost their chances of entering work.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Therese Coffey said: “Jobseekers who have been out of work for some time may need intensive help to get back on their feet and into employment.

“Through our Plan for Jobs they will get this support – the Restart scheme will help offer specialist help to find vacancies in their local area and training if needed, giving them the best chance at finding work. This is all part of our plan to Build Back Better.”

Elizabeth Taylor, CEO of Employment Related Services Association, said: “The Employment Support sector welcomes the announcement of Restart commissioning alongside the expansion Work Coaches at Jobcentre Plus, that will ensure the right people are referred to the right provisions at the right time.

“The Employment Support sector itself will expand to meet the challenges of future delivery. This work has already begun with partnerships and collaborations being developed to increase capacity, and to build diverse supply chains that will reach into local communities through knowledge of employers and with local partnerships including the third sector, specialists and local authorities.

“For the Employment Support sector Restart is a start, we look forward to the details of allocation of ESF reserves and the future Shared Prosperity Fund to provide effective employment support for all.”

The scheme is expected to help more than a million jobseekers over the course of three years, and will be available in England and Wales.

Support will last up to twelve months and is targeted at Universal Credit claimants out of work for more than a year and in need of extra help to find new employment.

Wider support of the Plan for Jobs includes:

• Kickstart, backing hundreds of thousands of young people by creating new opportunities
• JETS aimed at helping those made jobless by the pandemic
• Doubling the number of frontline Work Coaches to ensure jobseekers have access to bespoke support
• SWAPS supporting jobseekers to build new skills in sectors with vacancies
• Youth Hubs providing vital access to young people across local communities
• Job Finding Support working with local organisations to provide jobseekers with tailored support