Westminster MPs paid a whistlestop visit to CEDA as part of the Select Committee looking into Work and Pensions on Thursday 25 July.

David Coyne, CEDA's chief executive, and Liz Mallon of the Employability Team briefed them on the training and development support CEDA offers to enable people who are most disadvantaged to benefit from local and city-wide opportunities. They also highlighted the successful partnerships being forged with local organisations, employers and training providers to increase access to training, education and employment. The current support CEDA gives to enable more people to progress into work and to retain jobs, was also detailed.

Among the statistics they were able to give the MPs were that in the construction industry last year 141 local people were helped to find jobs through CEDA, 129 went into training and 33 took up apprenticeship places.

'They were extremely impressed by what is being done here, especially the Fresh Start programme because they had a chance to chat with some of the programme users and learn first-hand how CEDA has been able to help them.' said David Coyne.

Accompanied by Alan Davidson of Glasgow City Council, the MPs were one of three groups dispersed around Glasgow to investigate how government policy is being implemented at grass roots level. They also visited other parts of Scotland to gain evidence for the Committee.

PICTURED (from left)
Rob Marris MP, Janet McLean, Client Services, Geoffrey Farrar Second Clerk, Work & Pensions Select Committee, Liz Mallon, Stephen Brooks, Glasgow Works, Alan Davidson, Glasgow District Council, Paul Goodman MP, Carol Daly, Deputy Chief Executive.