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Recent figures show that since the pandemic began, the UK government has supported over 1.2 million jobs and individuals in the West Midlands – and more than a third of the working population nationwide
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Plan for Jobs’ one year anniversary statistics released – Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited four companies in Wolverhampton that have benefited
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Part of an unprecedented £ 352 billion support package that has helped safeguard jobs, businesses and public services in every region and nation in the UK
Since the beginning of the crisis, the government has put together one of the world’s most generous support packages to secure businesses and livelihoods across the UK – including the vacation and self-employment support programs that have helped 1.2 million workers in the West Midlands.
Yesterday (July 7th) the Chancellor visited four companies in Wolverhampton that have benefited from government support under the Plan for Jobs. These include three companies hiring new employees as part of the government’s Kickstart program, which provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16- to 24-year-olds with universal credit.
The companies visited by the Chancellor were Robinson’s Manufacturing, which makes quality wood products and has hired 30 new employees, Arnold Clark, the UK’s largest independent car dealer, which has hired 7, and the Wolverhampton branch of PureGym, the UK’s largest gym company which has 2,700 Workers on leave to protect their jobs.
The Chancellor also visited Wolverhampton Art Gallery, which was funded under the State Cultural Restoration Fund of $ 1.57 billion.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
Around this time last year, we faced a possible tidal wave of job losses as the UK stood on the verge of a financial crisis like no other in history.
But we made a plan for jobs, we stuck to that plan, and it works – so far we’ve supported more than 14.5 million jobs and helped people in Wolverhampton, the West Midlands and across the UK acquire the skills they need to get back to work.
We know the work is not done yet and our economy needs to recover – so we continue our support to give everyone the best chance to overcome this crisis.
Exactly a year ago today, Chancellor Rishi Sunak presented the Government’s Plan for Jobs – an ambitious plan to protect, support and create jobs across the UK and support the people who have skills through programs like Kickstart, apprenticeships and internships purchase that they need to get started with the work that businesses in the West Midlands have helped.
Rebecca Passmore, UK Managing Director of PureGym said:
The past year has been devastating for PureGym, but we’re excited to be open now so our members can train and advance their journey to health and wellbeing. The vacation policy was a real lifeline for PureGym, allowing us to effectively mothball the business so we could get jobs and then get up and running when the restrictions eased.
Looking ahead, we look forward to trading in our 287 gyms across the UK, including 14 brand new facilities that opened since April, with more to come. We have seen incredible demand from existing and new members since reopening, underscoring the increasing importance the public is placing on their health and fitness.
Pauline Marshall, GTG Group’s Commercial Operations Manager, said:
After a challenging year, we started our Kickstart program because we wanted to use our facilities, experience and skills to help young unemployed adults improve their chances of finding long-term work. Our goal has always been to invest in the future workforce; Helping people learn the skills they need to have successful careers in the automotive, transportation, and health and safety industries. We are constantly thinking about new and innovative ways to meet the needs of our trainees, customers, delegates and employees and hope to be able to continue this success in the future.
Wolverhampton City Council Director for Regeneration Richard Lawrence said:
Wolverhampton City Council has a five-year plan to bring the best of arts, music and sports to Wolverhampton to stimulate the city’s economy, create new jobs, provide visitors with a memorable experience and build a great cultural reputation.
Culture is an important part of our Covid recovery strategy and the improvements to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery will ensure that it remains a major attraction and offers new opportunities.
One of the first events to welcome the redesigned Wolverhampton Art Gallery is the prestigious British Art Show 9 in January 2022 – the start of a record year of major events in the city including the Commonwealth Games cycling time trial, Creation Day Festival in West Park , Wolverhampton Literature Festival and popular appearances in the newly renovated Civic Halls.
As part of an unprecedented £ 352 billion support package, the Plan for Jobs has supported and created jobs across the country.
Across the UK, 11.6 million jobs were protected by the vacation program and 2.9 million self-employed received £ 25.2 billion in government grants. 1.06 million of these jobs were in the West Midlands, with 224,000 self-employed in the region receiving self-employment grants.
The £ 2 billion Kickstart program is helping to create new, fully subsidized jobs for young people across the UK.
additional Information
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Read more about the Plan for Jobs at gov.uk/planforjobs
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Photos of the Chancellor’s visit to Wolverhampton are available here
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The UK’s working population is 33.1 million
The 1.2 million sheltered jobs and people in the West Midlands break down as follows:
- 1.06 million jobs on leave
- 224,000 self-employed who receive government grants
The breakdown of the 14.5 million protected people and jobs nationwide is as follows:
- 11.6 million jobs on leave
- 2.9 million self-employed are supported with government grants
- 8,800 apprenticeships started in the first two quarters of 2020/21
- 65,000 people in England and Scotland have enrolled in the Sector-based Work Academy Program (SWAP) since March 2020