Town chose to pilot welfare reforms to get people back to work (From Warrington Guardian)

Town chose to pilot welfare reforms to get people back to work

WARRINGTON has been chosen to pilot welfare reforms designed to enable people on benefits to return to work.

Private and public sectors employment experts are set to unite to offer help and advice searching for a job or finding the right sort of training.

The £80 million initiative - dubbed the Single Focus Gateway - is a joint venture between the Department of Social Security and Department of Education and Employment.

Every new person applying for benefits in the town will be called for an interview with a personal advisor when the trial scheme starts in November.

Benefits bosses are stressing only people entitled to job seekers' allowance will be required to take part in the employment option.

Announcing the moves, Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett described the Single Focus Gateway idea as central to welfare reforms.

Mr Blunkett added: "Under the old system, far too many people who wanted to work were written off - consigned to a life on benefits.

"Others took it for granted that state funding would automatically be available without any duty on them."

The "radical" new approach would ensure people reached their full potential, added Mr Blunkett.

The pilot will cover the North Cheshire benefits area - which includes Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn and Newton-le-Willows.

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