EMPLOYERS are supporting a new cash incentive scheme from Social Security aimed at getting the long-term unemployed back into work.

The department is offering a recruitment grant of up to £2,500 to encourage employers to hire people who have been out of work for six months, whether they are job seekers or on sickness benefit.

‘It’s probably a good idea,’ said the managing director of builders C. A. Duquemin, David Duquemin.

‘It will probably give employers an incentive to try some of these people. But employees need to be reliable and have a good work ethic if they are seeking long-term employment.’

Mr Duquemin said the cash might tip the scales but would not make a difference if it was a choice between someone who was fully qualified and someone who needed training.

CGi chairman Peter Budwin (pictured) considered it a good scheme.

‘If it gets people hired by companies and off the Social Security books it has to be a good thing,’ he said.

The cash incentives would help employers in the hiring process, he said, as a lot of time is spent registering staff with Social Security and Income Tax.

‘We will wait to see how successful it is,’ he said.