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Mordaunt launches fund for marginalised returners
The Government has launched a new fund to help marginalised women back to work.
The Minister for Women and Equalities has launched a £500,000 fund to help start up innovative programmes in England to help marginalised women return to work.
It says around 1.8 million women are currently economically inactive because they are caring for their home or family – more than eight times the number of men in that position.
Grants from the new fund will only go to those organisations which can show they have direct relationships with employers who can offer jobs opportunities. They will support parents and carers – men and women – back into the workplace through training, refreshing skills and facilitating work placements.
The funding will support vulnerable people who struggle to return to work, including victims of domestic abuse, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, people who speak little to no English, people with substance abuse support needs, people with mental or physical health issues, people who can’t access public funds due to their immigration status, but who have the right to work, ex-offenders, people struggling to cope with their economic circumstance, and women who experience multiple barriers due to their gender and their faith, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Minister for Women and Equalities Penny Mordaunt said: “For too long caring responsibilities, language barriers or the terrible impacts of domestic abuse have held many women back from having the freedom, support and choice to do what they want to do.
“I want all these women to be given the chance to reach their full potential, which is why we are investing in them to grow their skills and their confidence, so they feel ready to return to work when they want to.
“By supporting women at all stages of their lives, we are tapping into previously ignored talent, addressing gender inequality in the workplace and helping our economy grow.”
Mordaunt also announced that the Government Equalities Office will join Cabinet Office from 1 April.
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