New Employment Wage Subsidy (NEWS) Information Sheet

This project is part funded by the European Social Fund under the 2007-2013 Structural Funds Programmes.

Aim The aim of the programme is to assist businesses in employing individuals into employment. This is achieved by offering financial incentives to companies taking on new workers who would otherwise be economically inactive/out of work. Eligibility Businesses must be located in West Dunbartonshire & employ less than 250 people The business must not have any debts owing to the Council The employee must be a resident of West Dunbartonshire The employee must work between 16 and 40 hours a week in the business The business must be able to provide evidence of creating a job ie. an increase in staffing levels The wage for the post must be above the minimum wage of which the subsidy will support up to 7.00 per hour The application form for the subsidy must be accompanied by evidence from the employee that they are unemployed. Notes The subsidy is payable for a maximum 26 weeks, covering 50% of gross wages, with a maximum payment of 140 per week. Payments are made at 13 weeks & then at 26 weeks Evidence of payment of wages must be provided, e.g. payslips A maximum of 3 employees per business will be supported in any financial year The subsidy is payable on basic wage only and does not include overtime or bonus payments Companies which have recently made redundancies or are planning redundancies are not eligible Public Sector organisations are not eligible Applications can be made to West Dunbartonshire Council for grant support for additional training through the Business Training Support Scheme Assistance with childcare costs may be available Clients who are participating in Government Training Schemes may be eligible for consideration during or at the end of the programme Candidates for vacant positions must be registered by the Local Employment Team. Unemployed individuals who are mandated by the Work Programme are not eligible. Eligible Target Groups Unemployed/inactive people, particularly those with no or low qualifications and multiple barriers to entering employment or self employment, and remaining in a job 16-19 year olds not in education, employment or training, particularly: young people leaving care; young offenders; young people with physical and/or mental health problems and young people abusing drugs or alcohol Young people identified as being at risk of not entering education, employment or training on leaving school, particularly low attainers and persistent truants Unemployed/inactive lone parents and other carers Unemployed/inactive people with mental health problems, long-term illness, disabilities or learning difficulties Older people seeking to re-enter the labour force or requiring re-skilling to enable them to remain in the workforce

Other disadvantaged unemployed/inactive groups such as prisoners prior to release, exoffenders, people with drug or alcohol problems, homeless people, migrant workers and refugees

Unemployed/inactive people from ethnic minority groups Individuals experiencing persistent part-time/seasonal employment Employers who recruit from the above groups and who need support in retaining and developing these employees

How to Apply This is a two stage application process. The 1st stage application must be made by the company, not the individual. The 2nd stage application must be accompanied by proof of current unemployment of the individual. To receive an application form please contact the Economic Development Section at West Dunbartonshire Council: Economic Development West Dunbartonshire Council Garshake Road Dumbarton G82 3PU Telephone: 01389-737777 or Email: business.support@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Website: www.wdcweb.info