§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to encourage greater labour mobility to ease labour shortages. [25220]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Government will continue to encourage employers to consider the widest possible range of sources of labour when recruiting, including people whose preference is for flexible working arrangements such as part-time or tele-working. Equally, we shall continue to encourage individuals to increase their employability, including their flexibility and mobility as well as their skills.
To assist geographical mobility, the Employment Service operates a Travel to Interview Scheme. This encourages people to widen their job search by helping with travelling costs incurred in attending interviews outside their usual travel to work area.
Training and Enterprise Councils continue to work with employers locally to respond to the skills needs identified in particulars areas. In addition, the Government are setting up a new Skills Taskforce to advise on the extent and nature of skills shortages, and on appropriate action for tackling them.