A new European Social Fund (ESF) programme for England backed by £2 billion from the European Union, has been launched by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, James Plaskitt, and European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla.

Launching the ESF programme for 2007-2013, James Plaskitt said: “Our priority is to help those who face the biggest barriers to work. Over the next seven years the ESF programme will help 200,000 people into jobs, and enable at least 140,000 of the most disadvantaged people make positive progress toward the labour market. It will help 80,000 disadvantaged young people into learning or a job."

• Read the press release at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2007/oct/emp045-291007.asp .