What will the Plan do for the most vulnerable in society and the lower skilled?
This group are at risk of being the most badly hit by the downturn and its effects may linger longest for them, unless effective help is provided. They are therefore a major focus of the plan. In a downturn, the low skilled are often the first to lose their jobs. By stimulating activity and boosting confidence, the plan will help to keep job losses to a minimum. Firms may feel that, with a stimulus on the way, it is worth retaining employees, who they might otherwise have laid off. Workers have already been made redundant or may lose their jobs in the coming months. It is vital to reintegrate these people back into the labour market as quickly as possible. The longer someone is out of the labour market, the harder it becomes for them to get back into employment. The plan therefore includes a major European employment support initiative, with the Commission working with Member States to re-programme European Social Fund expenditure to ensure workers have the right skills to stay in jobs
