More needs to be done to help the long-term unemployed in the UK find jobs.

This is the assertion of Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, who stated that there is not enough focus on helping people get back to work.

He suggested that large companies should be encouraged to create more jobs and provide additional training and support for those who have been out of work for several years.

"There is no silver bullet. There is no quick fix. It will be difficult for the long-term unemployed to find work," Mr Flaxton admitted.

However, he stressed that updating skills and ensuring that you have not been left behind by technological advances are important steps that people can take to help improve their chances of finding a job.

Research released by the Trades Union Congress earlier this week revealed that nearly a quarter of a million people have been claiming unemployment benefit for more than a year.

The TUC noted that this figure is twice as high as it was at the start of the last recession, which backs up Mr Flaxton's opinion that "the recovery is going to be very slow".
 

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