McNulty: Jobs market has 600,000 vacancies

15/10/2008

The minister for employment, Tony McNulty has said there remains 600,000 empty posts, despite rising unemployment.

He announced a package of funding worth £100 million to help those hit worst by recent economic difficulties.

Mr McNulty insisted the UK has "one of the strongest labour markets in the developed world".

"The new money we are announcing today will help fund training and support so that we can ensure people facing redundancy can access these vacancies and get back to work quickly."

The Department for Work and Pensions has claimed it is best placed to help people back to work - it offers skills and training, practical advice in finding a job and expenses to help applicants get to interviews.

The extra cash announced today will be used to target those most affected by rising unemployment and the economic downturn.

According to the Office for National Statistics, those in work have seen average earnings rise 3.4 per cent in the year to August.

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