Fund launched to help marginalised women back into work

Today, the Minister for Women and Equalities, Penny Mordaunt, announced that the government will be launching a new fund to help support marginalised women return to work.

In the UK, around 1.8 million women are currently economically inactive because they are caring for their home or family, this is more than eight times the number of men in that position. The new £500,000 fund will help start up innovative programmes to help marginalised women return to work through training, refreshing skills and facilitating work placements. However, grants will only go to organisations who can demonstrate direct relationships with employers who can offer jobs opportunities. 

The funding will support vulnerable people who struggle to return to work, such as:

• Victims of domestic abuse, including economic abuse
• People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• People who speak little to no English
• People with substance abuse support needs
• People with mental or physical health issues
• People who can’t access public funds due to their immigration status, but who have the right to work
• Ex-offenders
• People struggling to cope with their economic circumstances
• Women who experience multiple barriers due to their gender and their faith, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.