More than 100 employers have signed up to the Local Employment Partnership initiative to help 250,000 people off benefits and into work.

The LEP involves major employers in both the public and private sectors, giving a commitment to offer guaranteed job interviews for people who have been on benefit and who are ready and prepared to work.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Peter Hain said: "The next step is to achieve full employment as the heart of our anti-poverty strategy. Work is the way out of poverty and increasing numbers of vulnerable people, particularly lone parents recognise that and want to work. LEPs will play a key role in achieving this. 

"We will ensure that people who are disadvantaged in the job market get the right type of training to get them to the point of being 'job ready' getting that greater integration between skills and employment.”

The latest employers to sign up to the LEP are Travelodge and vocational learning provider Carter & Carter.