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Summit aims to safeguard UK jobs Summit aims to safeguard UK jobs
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown is to host talks with business and union leaders about measures aimed at safeguarding jobs during the downturn. Gordon Brown is hosting talks with business and union leaders about measures aimed at safeguarding jobs during the downturn.
With 1.8 million people out of work, the prime minister is expected to warn that a failure to act now will mean a deeper and longer recession. The prime minister said spending £500m would help 500,000 people into work or work-focused training.
Plans to help the long-term unemployed may include paying employers up to £2,500 for every person they train. Plans to help the long-term unemployed include paying employers up to £2,500 for every person they train.
The Tories say the government's job package "does not go far enough". With 1.8 million people out of work, the Tories say the government's job package "does not go far enough".
Mr Brown is expected to open the jobs summit at the Science Museum in London with a warning that a deeper recession would mean whole communities being written off and lasting damage to the economy. Mr Brown warned an audience at the Science Museum in London that a deeper recession would mean whole communities being written off and lasting damage to the economy.
Cash inducementsCash inducements
Before Christmas the number of people out of work stood at 1.8 million and some economists believe it could approach three million by 2010. He set out plans to prepare Britain for growth in sectors such as environmental technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and education.
To combat that, Mr Brown will set out plans to prepare Britain for growth in sectors such as environmental technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and education. Mr Brown said: "We cannot always prevent people losing their jobs but we can help people finding their next jobs."
As part of the summit, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell will give further details of a £500m scheme to help people who have been out of work for more than six months.
There are fears that three million people could be unemployed by 2010There are fears that three million people could be unemployed by 2010
Ahead of the summit he told GMTV the aim was to "keep people in jobs, create more jobs... and of course, stop people being repossessed in their homes".
He said there was "no other way" and said countries around the world were following the UK's moves in "sorting out the banking system, and now trying to get the economy moving".
As part of the summit, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell will give details of a £500m scheme to help people who have been out of work for more than six months.
That could include help in starting a business or paying employers up to £2,500 for every person they recruit and train who has been unemployed for more than six months.That could include help in starting a business or paying employers up to £2,500 for every person they recruit and train who has been unemployed for more than six months.
He told the BBC: "The important thing is most people get back into work within six months. At the moment it's over 70% of people who get back into work within six months."He told the BBC: "The important thing is most people get back into work within six months. At the moment it's over 70% of people who get back into work within six months."
Mr Purnell added: "What we have learned from previous recessions is we need to make sure people don't feel out of touch with the labour market...Mr Purnell added: "What we have learned from previous recessions is we need to make sure people don't feel out of touch with the labour market...
"We don't want to waste a generation of people, as has happened in the past.""We don't want to waste a generation of people, as has happened in the past."
Since being made redundant it's become obvious that the jobs aren't out there. And what jobs there are, an awful lot of people are applying for them Mike Kirkham-Jones Read Mike's story
The Federation of Small Business has launched a five-point plan which it says could create up to 400,000 new jobs.The Federation of Small Business has launched a five-point plan which it says could create up to 400,000 new jobs.
Measures it is calling for include the promotion of part-time working, simplified regulation and lower taxes.Measures it is calling for include the promotion of part-time working, simplified regulation and lower taxes.
Since being made redundant it's become obvious that the jobs aren't out there. And what jobs there are, an awful lot of people are applying for them Mike Kirkham-Jones Read Mike's story
It also wants to see more investment in apprenticeships and greater opportunity for small firms to bid for government contracts.It also wants to see more investment in apprenticeships and greater opportunity for small firms to bid for government contracts.
Union leaders at the summit will propose more training and job creation programmes, while environmental campaigners want greater investment in energy efficiency.Union leaders at the summit will propose more training and job creation programmes, while environmental campaigners want greater investment in energy efficiency.
Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said he welcomed any attempt to create new jobs but there needed to be more emphasis on protecting existing jobs, particularly in car manufacturing.Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said he welcomed any attempt to create new jobs but there needed to be more emphasis on protecting existing jobs, particularly in car manufacturing.
Not far enoughNot far enough
He said: "The businesses are basically sound. It's a question that they have a cash-flow problem.He said: "The businesses are basically sound. It's a question that they have a cash-flow problem.
"Commercial loans are difficult or more difficult through banks who don't appear to be passing on the advantage the government has given them."Commercial loans are difficult or more difficult through banks who don't appear to be passing on the advantage the government has given them.
"And the government needs to step in to ensure that these particularly skilled jobs are not lost because once lost they'll never return.""And the government needs to step in to ensure that these particularly skilled jobs are not lost because once lost they'll never return."
The Conservatives are dismissing the event as more spin than substance, designed, they say, to cover up that Mr Brown's recession policies are not working.The Conservatives are dismissing the event as more spin than substance, designed, they say, to cover up that Mr Brown's recession policies are not working.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The package on jobs is welcome as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough.Shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The package on jobs is welcome as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far enough.
"It's ironic that the government are accusing Tories of being a do-nothing party and then adopting the Conservatives' proposals on unemployment.""It's ironic that the government are accusing Tories of being a do-nothing party and then adopting the Conservatives' proposals on unemployment."
Have you been unemployed for six months or more? What are your experiences? What do you make of the government's plans to help you to get back to work? Send us your comments using the form below.Have you been unemployed for six months or more? What are your experiences? What do you make of the government's plans to help you to get back to work? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
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