Westminster's £1m plan to get 3,000 back to work

A LONDON council announced today that it will invest more than £1million to help almost 3,000 people to find jobs.

Called Westminster Works, Westminster Council will meet thousands of job seekers to help them get access to training and long-term employment.

The scheme will involve the council working with local employers to generate opportunities such as six-month job placements, two-week job trials and CV and interview workshops.

At an economic recovery summit last night council leader Colin Barrow said: "The months ahead will be tough for many people in the heart of London but we are committed to doing all we can to help thousands of residents to access training and find employment. Westminster is predicted to be harder hit in terms of unemployment than elsewhere in the capital but these schemes will make a real difference helping people find work.

"Doing nothing is not an option. We recognise that we have to be proactive in our attempts to protect residents, small businesses, voluntary organisations and the wider economy from the potentially devastating impact of recession."

Last month, the council announced a 17-point city recovery programme to protect residents and small business during the downturn.