EALING is to get a share of £900,000 to help long-term unemployed and disadvantaged residents into work.

The London boroughs and the European Social Fund are funding a new £6 million initiative to tackle poverty across the capital.

The Disability Times Trust has been allocated £896,229 funding to deliver a project, managed by London Councils, in the boroughs of Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Brent and Richmond upon Thames.

Councillor Paul McGlone, chair of the grants committee, said: “We’re delighted to use this funding to tackle poverty in some of London’s most deprived communities by getting people back into work.

“The money will be focused on those who are a long way from employment and will offer tailored support. At least 4,500 people will be helped and every borough will receive levels of support based on their needs.

“This new programme will also offer enhanced support for homeless people and those who have recently recovered from substance abuse, with increased payments to reflect the extra help required supporting these individuals back into work.”

The programme will run from September 2016 to December 2018 and will target those who have been out of work for a long time and need a helping hand to build their skills and confidence so they are prepared and ready to work.

Target groups will include disabled people, over 50s, ethnic minorities and women.

Picture courtesy of J J Ellison, with thanks https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18224342