A COUNCIL has pledged to do its bit to tackle unemployment.

Wychavon District Council has agreed to consider long-term unemployed candidates which Jobcentre Plus puts forward as candidates for vacancies as and when they arise. Work experience and work trials may also be offered if possible. We previously reported in your Worcester News how the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Wychavon is about 2,300 and about 740 of those have been unemployed for six months or more. Jack Hegarty, Wychavon’s managing director, said: “Tackling the impact of the recession and unemployment is critical and we hope that where we have vacancies, we can do what we can to support local people.”

Judith Jamieson, account manager from Jobcentre Plus, said: “We know that the longer someone is out of work the less chance they have of finding a job.”