From this week, businesses will be able to take advantage of recruitment and ‘on the job’ training subsidies worth up to £2,500, as an incentive to take on people who’ve been looking for work for 6 months or more. The subsidy is worth £1,000 and depending on location, the company can access up to £1,500 worth of in-work training.

The recruitment and training subsidy, or ‘golden hello’, is part of a package of measures announced by the Prime Minister in January, designed to give even more support to people who’ve been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for six months.

The other elements of the package include more support for people who want to set up their own business; access to 75,000 new work-focused training opportunities; and the opportunity to do work-focused volunteering.

As well as the enhanced offer for jobseekers reaching the 6th month point, more help available from day one of unemployment also came on stream this week. It includes greater support for job searching, CV writing, help with skills, interview preparation and access to more Local Employment Partnership vacancies.

There is also more support available for those who want to become self-employed with advice on creating a business plan and an employment credit of £50 per week for up to 16 weeks so that they have financial support during the early days and months of trading.