Budget 2009: Employment

The chancellor is expected to announce a "package for jobs" in his Budget, with a focus on help for training.

Ministers are intent on providing extra help for training by extending the current Train to Gain scheme, the Guardian has reported.

As part of the scheme, a new service has been launched to help employers prepare for the upturn.

It will provide employers with advice and support, as part of the "real help now" offering for businesses.

Skills and apprenticeship minister Lord Young said: "The challenging economy climate means it has never been more important to ensure that employers get access to the support and advice they need – quickly and easily."

Financial Times reports suggest that Alistair Darling is likely to rule out plans for job subsidies.

The chancellor is expected to reject calls from employers and unions to introduce a subsidy for short-time working.

The proposal would have supplemented a wage subsidy for those employees moving to short-time working such as a three day week to avoid redundancy.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Short-time working schemes are working well across Europe and are preventing many thousands of unnecessary job losses.