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| Military veterans get jobs boost as army prepares for more redundancies | Military veterans get jobs boost as army prepares for more redundancies |
| (4 months later) | |
| More than 20 UK companies have agreed to give priority to armed forces veterans seeking jobs as the army prepares to make thousands more troops redundant as part of a major restructuring programme. | More than 20 UK companies have agreed to give priority to armed forces veterans seeking jobs as the army prepares to make thousands more troops redundant as part of a major restructuring programme. |
| The scheme, devised by Labour, means that firms including John Lewis, Tottenham Hotspur and the mobile phone company 02 will guarantee to interview former soldiers, sailors and pilots if they apply for a position. | The scheme, devised by Labour, means that firms including John Lewis, Tottenham Hotspur and the mobile phone company 02 will guarantee to interview former soldiers, sailors and pilots if they apply for a position. |
| The veterans interview programme (VIP) is being launched on Wednesday with the support of the Royal British Legion, which plays a key role in offering advice to former members of the military who are struggling to find work in "civvy street". | The veterans interview programme (VIP) is being launched on Wednesday with the support of the Royal British Legion, which plays a key role in offering advice to former members of the military who are struggling to find work in "civvy street". |
| The launch of the VIP comes on the eve of a long-awaited official announcement on Thursday about army reforms that will lead to 20,000 posts being scrapped. | The launch of the VIP comes on the eve of a long-awaited official announcement on Thursday about army reforms that will lead to 20,000 posts being scrapped. |
| The scale of the redundancies has caused concern inside the military and provoked criticism from Labour, which has blamed ministers for not doing enough to support armed forces personnel facing unemployment. | The scale of the redundancies has caused concern inside the military and provoked criticism from Labour, which has blamed ministers for not doing enough to support armed forces personnel facing unemployment. |
| However, Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, hopes the VIP initiative will win cross-party support to encourage more companies to take part in the programme without turning it into a political football. | However, Jim Murphy, the shadow defence secretary, hopes the VIP initiative will win cross-party support to encourage more companies to take part in the programme without turning it into a political football. |
| Other leading firms which have agreed to adopt VIP, or provide other ways of supporting ex-service personnel, include Centrica, Crossrail, Wickes, Greggs, Aldi, New Look, Celtic FC and the Scottish FA. | Other leading firms which have agreed to adopt VIP, or provide other ways of supporting ex-service personnel, include Centrica, Crossrail, Wickes, Greggs, Aldi, New Look, Celtic FC and the Scottish FA. |
| Many of them will publish statements explaining why they have adopted the scheme. | Many of them will publish statements explaining why they have adopted the scheme. |
| Greggs, the high street bakers, will say it is "concerned about the increasing number of the armed forces who are looking for employment, in an already difficult employment climate. Having served their country, often in very difficult circumstances, we think this programme is an opportunity to give something back to those people who have dedicated their lives to serving others." | Greggs, the high street bakers, will say it is "concerned about the increasing number of the armed forces who are looking for employment, in an already difficult employment climate. Having served their country, often in very difficult circumstances, we think this programme is an opportunity to give something back to those people who have dedicated their lives to serving others." |
| Tottenham FC said it would "ensure that any veteran of the UK armed services applying for a position is guaranteed an interview. We shall also be working with our suppliers and contracted agencies to encourage them to adopt a similar policy." | Tottenham FC said it would "ensure that any veteran of the UK armed services applying for a position is guaranteed an interview. We shall also be working with our suppliers and contracted agencies to encourage them to adopt a similar policy." |
| Though there is no guarantee of a job, the expectation is that many will be taken on in some kind of role once they have had a chance to promote themselves. | Though there is no guarantee of a job, the expectation is that many will be taken on in some kind of role once they have had a chance to promote themselves. |
| Labour said it hoped other businesses and charities would follow suit. "It is wrong that someone who has served in Afghanistan is expected to join the back of the queue at the local jobcentre," said Murphy. "This is not about special treatment but overcoming barriers to provide a level playing field for service people. | Labour said it hoped other businesses and charities would follow suit. "It is wrong that someone who has served in Afghanistan is expected to join the back of the queue at the local jobcentre," said Murphy. "This is not about special treatment but overcoming barriers to provide a level playing field for service people. |
| "It is all of our duty to help provide a smooth transition from military to civilian life." | "It is all of our duty to help provide a smooth transition from military to civilian life." |
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