Website of the UK government

Help for unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds

The Chancellor announced a guaranteed offer of a job, training or a work placement to all young people aged 18 to 24 who have been on Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for six months.

Those who are eligible will:

• be able to take advantage of this help from January 2010
  
• have the help for at least six months
  
• be required to take up a place by their 10th month of claiming JSA

• Jobseeker's Allowance (money, tax and benefits section)

Support for those in low-income work

The Chancellor announced a guarantee that anyone in work will always be better off than they were on benefits. The government intends to do this by providing a top up to those who are in low income work.

Help for undergraduates

The government will give £8 million towards a new scheme to provide grants for students to take unpaid internships.

These internships will be in professions in which for students from poorer backgrounds are not well represented. This help will be available in summer 2010.

Help for over 50s

The government will make extra help available through Jobcentre Plus and specialist providers to ensure the over 50s move back into work quickly.

From April 2011, people aged 65 and over who want to continue working will qualify for Working Tax Credit if they have a job for at least 16 hours a week.  

• Looking for work (pensions and retirement planning)