A BUSINESS champion in the North West is set to meet Government chiefs about the new programme to get the jobless back to work.

Anthony Goldstone, chairman of the North West group of Chambers of Commerce, is to discuss the 'New Deal' programme with officials from the DTI.

"Unemployment is a scourge in our society and while the overall unemployment figure has fallen, it is still at an unacceptable level," said Mr Goldstone, who represents 12,000 plus companies, including more than 1,000 in East Lancs.

"We have to see there is appropriate training for business needs and to assist people in achieving higher self-esteem."

Mr Goldstone said the Chambers' concerns were that a large group of unemployable people would be left whom no one wanted.

And he said it was vital that the scheme was made attractive to smaller and medium sized companies, not just major ones

"Smaller and medium enterprises could play a real role in the scheme but there must be an understanding from Government about the way such firms work."

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