Secretary of State tackles unemployment at Ibrox

19 May 2009

Jim Murphy lent his footballing skills to the Support Employment project yesterday by taking part in a football match at Ibrox.

He joined other MPs, MSPs, and the actor Angus Deayton in a side which played against a Support Employment XI. The initiative - a joint venture between Rangers, Celtic, Skills Development Scotland, JobCentre Plus, Cumbernauld College, Glasgow Employer Coalition and Glasgow Works - has a 75% success rate in securing jobs or vocational training for those taking part. More than half are also off state benefits by the end of the 13-week programme.

Jim Murphy  said: "I was delighted to take part in today's match and lend my support to the programme. It's important we do all we can throughout the downturn to help people into work and this project is a great example of how partnership in the community can give real help where it's needed."

Raymond Farrelly, community manager at Rangers Football Club, said: "The Support Employment project is one of the most successful initiatives within the Rangers community programme, and sees more than 6,000 people participating in a range of initiatives each week.

"We were delighted to welcome everyone to Ibrox today, and the match was a great way to highlight the success of the programme, as well as the commitment of everybody involved."

Robert Docherty, head of the Celtic Foundation, said: "We are delighted to be involved in this project - through this programme Celtic have already employed 12 participants in various parts of its business, including in the areas of coaching, catering and retail.

"Celtic FC is fully behind the Support Employment initiative as it aims to make a real difference to participants."