£1m cash boost to tackle effects of recession in Wirral

Nov 18 2009 by Staff Reporter, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL has been given almost £1m to help those finding it most difficult to get back into work.

The funding is designed to support local authorities in developing creative and innovative ways of tackling local unemployment.

The extra cash, through the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF) was awarded by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham.

A total of £807,140 is allocated to Wirral for the period of 2008 to 2011 and allows the local authority to work with Jobcentre Plus, the PCT and social landlords to tackle the barriers some people face in getting back to work.

Wirral Council leader, Cllr Steve Foulkes, said it was “tremendous news for Wirral”. He said: “We have already implemented a number of important initiatives to combat the effects of the recession with our initial allocation of funding such as the highly successful Wirral Apprentice programme, ReachOut and our Business Investment Grants.”