From left to right, Cllr Ian Perry, Mark and Jim Murphy, Minister of State for Employment.
Lifting people out of unemployment in Edinburgh is the aim of a new scheme being launched this week.
The Capital has been chosen to be one of the first places in the UK to take part in the Pathfinders for the Cities Strategy.
The initiative is particularly aimed at disadvantaged groups such as single parents, ethnic minorities, older people and those on benefits.
Jim Murphy MP, the Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, will be in Edinburgh on Wednesday (October 4) to talk about his welfare benefit reforms generally and take feedback from local groups on these and will emphasise how beneficial the cities strategy in particular will be.
The scheme will work by giving more powers to local organizations to tackle unemployment by bringing together public, private and voluntary sectors. The scheme will allow these groups to work more flexibly and efficiently by pooling their resources and expertise. It is expected that the strategy will be up and running in Edinburgh early next year.
Edinburgh is one of several cities to be chosen to use the pilot scheme, which also includes Glasgow and Dundee.
Edinburgh’s bid is based on Joined Up for Jobs, Edinburgh’s employability agreement, which was launched four years ago by the Capital City Partnership (CCP).
Councillor Ian Perry, deputy leader of the Council and the chair of the CCP, said:
“Reducing unemployment levels is just one of the ways in which we can help people to improve their lives, by lifting them out of poverty.The Cities Strategy is a fantastic way of helping us to take people off benefits and into the workforce.
“I look forward to working with the local providers who will be delivering this scheme, and am confident that it will make a difference to peoples’ lives.”
Jim Murphy MP, the Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform said:
“The Prime Minister has made clear that the overhaul of the welfare state is essential. There has been real success in reducing unemployment and child poverty but we need to do more. The Cities Strategy will give the people of
Edinburgh the freedom to develop and influence local solutions to help move people off benefits and into work and the chance to make a real difference to the lives of those who need it most”
Local MP Mark Lazarowicz said:
"I'm delighted to welcome the Minister to Edinburgh to discuss the Cities Strategy and the further action that we can take to reduce unemployment. The Capital City Partnership have done some tremendous work over the last few years, with the Joined up for Jobs strategy delivering very positive outcomes, and I'm extremely pleased that the Minister is meeting with them today. I know the CCP will play a pivotal role in delivering the Cities Strategy and assisting local people back into work."