The government spends about £250,000 a year trying to help long-term unemployed people back to work, a government minister has revealed.

There were 94 people classed as long-term unemployed in the Isle of Man at the end of June.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly says it is estimated that the equivalent of five full-time staff posts are dedicated to supporting them in their bid to find work, representing about half of the ’advisory resource’ at the JobCentre.

In a written answer to a Tynwald question from Speaker Juan Watterson (Rushen), Mr Skelly added: ’In addition to a specific allocation for long-term unemployment (LTU) support, access is available to other programmes and training initiatives, funded from separate budgets.

’It is estimated that in total approximately £250,000 is spent annually on supporting LTU clients into employment.’

That means the taxpayer is spending more than £2,600 for every long-term unemployed person trying to get them back to work.

Mr Watterson wanted to know how the DED intended to reduce long-term unemployment.

The Minister said: ’The JobCentre will continue to work closely with partners from private, public and third sectors to continue the progress made to date in tackling long-term unemployment.’

There had been successes in recent years, he added.

’In the year to the end of June 2017 the number of claimants registered as unemployed for over 12 months had fallen by 41 (30 per cent).

’Joint, targeted initiatives were developed, specifically in conjunction with Treasury social security division, several years ago when the number claiming JSA for longer than 12 months had increased markedly.

’Since the peak in 2014, the number of LTU has been reduced by 161, a fall of over 63 per cent.’

But Mr Skelly insisted the department was not complacent.

The improvements are the result of ’providing targeted, intensive and bespoke support to individuals’ and the return to work of a number of people is ’delivering real social and economic benefits to the island’.

Mr Skelly also details, in his answer, how the DED provides ’intensive’ support and assistance to the target groups of youth and long-term unemployed.

Many of those registered as LTU have attended appointments with specialist disability employment advisers and senior employment advisers.

Of the 94, seven who have been offered individual appointments ’have yet to engage with the service’.

’The primary incentive for individuals is to obtain and retain employment following the support provided and the ensuing increase in personal income,’ Mr Skelly says.

’However, much of the work of the advisory teams focusses on building trust, confidence and self-esteem among their clients and overcoming the often complex personal situations many clients face.’