Funding for West Midlands jobs

West Midlands jobs are to receive a funding boost to the tune of £42.5 million, it has been revealed.

The government is providing the funding via charities and non-profit organisations across the region, which are expected to use it to assist residents including the long-term unemployed.

Help has also been given to organisations nationwide via a £1.2 billion package outlined in the recent Budget announcement.

This aims to help jobseekers who have been looking for work for more than a year by guaranteeing six months of work or related training for every Briton in such circumstances.

For those looking for West Midlands jobs, £10 million of the £42.5 million package is intended to help candidates to raise their skills levels, as well as creating 40,000 voluntary placements within the Third Sector.

Regional minister for the West Midlands Ian Austin says: "The Third Sector in the West Midlands does a fantastic job and their work has never been more important than now, helping people in the region through the economic crisis."

HM Treasury's West Midlands office notes that the Budget carried further benefits for the region, including £1.7 billion of investment into the Jobcentre Plus service and the Flexible New Deal initiative.