Government wants firms to hire ex-criminals and the homeless
BUSINESSES should do more to hire homeless people and former criminals, a government minister said yesterday.
Citing a recent YouGov survey finding that six out of 10 companies said they would be happy to employ a homeless person and nearly seven out of 10 said they would trust an ex-offender’s work skills and capability, employment minister Priti Patel said business leaders should “match their warm words with positive action”.
“To thrive in the long term, businesses need to identify talent and potential wherever it exists,” Patel said.
She added: “Of course I understand the pressures businesses are under, but I want our bosses to start seeing potential instead of problems.”
“This is about securing a better future for British business, just as much as it is about giving people a second chance,” Patel said, adding the “onus is now on business to be open-minded and work to access the hidden talent across our society.”