The UK Government’s flagship work programme is failing people in the Islwyn constituency, according to its MP Chris Evans.
New figures show that locally the scheme has put less than 1% of applicants into jobs.
There are now as many as 700 people in Islwyn who have been claiming Job Seekers Allowance for 12 months or more with up to five claimants chasing every vacancy.
Across the UK the figures are not much better; some 800,000 job seekers have been referred to the Work Programme nationwide, with less than 20,000 finding work – as little as 2.3%.
Islwyn’s Labour MP Mr Evans said: “This is yet more evidence that the Tory-led Government have absolutely no clue how to get people back to work.
“It is all very well spending millions on various work schemes and job programmes but if it does nothing to put people in jobs what is the point?
“I am seriously concerned that unless the government changes course long-term joblessness will get worse and worse.”
i have been on the work program seetec manchester whitworth street for over 12 months!! in that time i have had not one single job interview, the staff are the most incompetent rudest patronizing, people i have ever met. all there keen on his getting there bonus,