The European Social Fund (ESF) has committed a funding package of £720 million to go towards developing jobs and skills across the UK over the next seven years.

Some £138 million has been set aside specifically for Merseyside in recognition of its transitional status, while the total commitment for the North West stands at some £222 million. (more…)

An increasing number of jobs in the social care sector are being created, new figures indicate.

In the latest Mandis/Adecco Job Creation Index, more than 40,833 posts were opened across 21 of the country’s key industries over the course of last month - a rise of 20 per cent from September 2006.
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Lewisham council is “performing strongly”, according to the latest report by the Audit Commission.

The news comes as the commission’s inspection team gave the authority four stars in its Corporate Assessment.
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Newcastle council’s Supporting People programme is providing an ever-improving service towards the city’s vulnerable people, it has been suggested.

In an independent report released by the Audit Commission, the public sector body received a ‘good’ two star-rating with "promising prospects" for future development. (more…)

The government has declared a revised performance management framework which focuses on those working within the public sector, it has emerged.
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