As the government looks at new avenues to move the long-term unemployed into work, creative recruitment businesses are already leading the way in guiding, or supporting efforts to guide, this population into the UK's talent pool.

Recruitment process outsourcing company Alexander Mann Solutions provides training, mentoring and office space for Tomorrow's People staff to help the long-term unemployed back to work.

AMS director David Heath points out that engaging with work-focused charities is especially meaningful for a recruitment business. "It makes tremendous sense — we understand what they do," Heath told Recruiter.

Pertemps People Development Group is among the enterprises with recruitment agency links that have enjoyed significant success through government contracts in helping businesses train and place the long-term unemployed. But government-imposed restrictions and requirements are creating additional red tape for them, said Maxine Morton, area operations director. For instance, PPDG must ensure that clients who have decided to go into self-employment have registered to make National Insurance payments.

Morton added she would like to see the government expand its involvement in moving the long-term unemployed back to work beyond current "post code-driven parameters".

AMS's Heath urged recruiters to look at what they can do: "Innovative companies can get involved outside government channels."