Relocation for jobseekers ‘should be applauded’

Plans to introduce means to move jobseekers to areas where there is employment available to them should be supported, it has been claimed.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive officer of Work Wise UK, said the government’s proposals to introduce a scheme that prioritises individuals for housing who are out of work but willing to move to areas where employment is available should be given the backing of the general public.

He commented: "We’ve got to get the economy moving, we’ve got to keep unemployment down, and we’ve got to make it competitive on a global stage. Giving people the incentive and self-respect to work is to be applauded and welcomed."

According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics earlier this month, the claimant count for those seeking Jobseeker’s Allowance decreased by 30,900 between April and May 2010 to reach 1.48 million.

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This is the first time the claimant count has been below 1.5 million since March 2009.