Digest: 13 to 28 February 2007
28 February 2007: Ethnic minority employment gap
Ethnic minorities continue to face an employment gap according to new research published today (February 28) by the DWP.
The report also showed that Muslim women – regardless of their ethnic background - face higher barriers to employment than any other ethnic group of no religion.
Launching the report in Bethnal Green today, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions John Hutton said: "We simply cannot afford to ignore the specific discrimination that exists in the UK labour market.”
27 February 2007: What is ‘good work’?
Businesses, government and charities have been called on to discuss and agree what constitutes ‘good work’.
DWP minister Lord McKenzie this morning opened the first in a series of events hosted by the Work Foundation on the theme of Good Work.
Lord McKenzie said: “We know that good work is beneficial for individuals, communities, and the economy. But we need to figure out exactly what ‘good work’ is, so that we can ensure workplaces are happy, healthy and productive.”
22 February 2007: Lone parents reveal the benefits of work
Lone parents have revealed lifestyle benefits of having a job in an online survey commissioned by Jobcentre Plus.
More than three-quarters of lone parents who have gone back to work say that working has made them feel more independent, with almost as many feeling more confident.
Most agreed that the benefits of work went beyond just financial security, with more than half of those back at work saying that work made them feel more satisfied with life generally. Those who were not currently working tended to agree.
14 February 2007: Employment hits record levels
The latest labour market figures show a fall in the claimant count, more people in work and a fall in ILO unemployment:
"Today’s figures tell a strong story: numbers on each of the main benefits – Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefits and lone parent benefits – are falling, employment is up and unemployment is down.
“Our reforms to the welfare state are working: more people are coming off benefits, looking for work and taking up jobs.”
14 February 2007: How to measure equality for disabled people?
A public consultation has been launched to ask disabled people what equality means to them, and to gain their views on how Government can monitor progress towards equality for disabled people.
The consultation is being led by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI), which was set up to help Government departments work together to deliver equality for disabled people by 2025.
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire said:
“Disabled people are the experts about their priorities. That's why I'm launching a consultation today, which will help to find out what disabled people and those whose lives are affected by disability think.”
- Read the press release
- Read the consultation document (this link will take you to the Office for Disability Issues website)
13 February 2007: Misdirected pension letters
An error in the processing of letters at The Pension Service meant that 26,000 customers recently received letters intended for someone else. These individuals got their own letter plus a second letter in the same envelope which should have gone to another customer.
We would like to apologise to customers affected. The Department takes issues of customer security very seriously and a full investigation is being carried out. We would like to reassure customers that we will be able to trace all the letters involved – and pinpoint where each one went.
We will be writing to all customers affected to apologise, explain what happened and offer assistance. We will also be sending a prepaid envelope so that you can return any letter you have received that was not addressed to you.
13 February 2007: Improving information for disabled people
A new guide to help public sector organisations improve the way they provide information to disabled people has been launched.
Minister for Disabled People Anne McGuire said: “Good quality information is essential in helping all of us in the public sector in providing a quality service.”
The guide, written by the Office for Disability Issues (ODI), follows research which shows that a third of disabled people have difficulty accessing goods and services, all too often because the way information is being provided is not good enough.
- Read the press release
- Read the guide (this link will take you to the Office for Disability Issues website)