Linda Gilroy hosted a visit to Plymouth by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Rt. Hon James Purnell MP, this past Friday.

The visit came about through an exchange on the floor of the House of Commons last year, during which Mrs Gilroy drew the Government’s attention to PLUSS, an award winning project that operates sheltered workshops which provide employment for disabled people in Plymouth. Linda invited the Secretary of State to visit Plymouth to see the work undertaken by PLUSS first hand.

Peter Flukes, the Chief Executive of the Wolseley Trust and Debbie Scott OBE, the National Operations Director for Tomorrow’s People, helped put together a full programme.

The day began at the Scott Business Park, where the Secretary of State visited both PLUSS and Tomorrow’s People. He was also  taken on a tour of the PLUSS Factory at Clittaford Road. At Tomorrow’s People he met those involved with the innovative “Working it Out” Youth Mentoring Project, designed to tackle long-term worklessness. The Secretary of State was given a presentation and took part in a discussion with participants of the project – some of whom are young people who previously had “fallen through the system”.

He then headed to the Jan Cutting Healthy Living Centre to hear about the important role that the Wolseley Trust plays as a community anchor, working alongside Plymouth City Council to facilitate the work of their other partners -Tomorrow’s People and the PLUSS organization - in linking economic and social development.
 
In the afternoon the Secretary of State visited the Child Support Agency.

Linda Gilroy said “I am delighted that the Secretary of State visited Plymouth to see for himself the hard work of organizations like PLUSS, Tomorrows People and the Wolseley Trust”.

“Plymouth has seen huge progress over the last ten years in helping people who are ill or disabled off benefits and back into work – and not just any job, but meaningful and lasting employment.

“However, we still face huge challenges in the future and the city has ambitious growth plans. If we are to be successful in both respects, we will need the full support of the Government and I was keen to discuss with him how his Department can help”.

14 July 2008