Employers could get up to £2,500 for every long-term unemployed person they train, the government has revealed. The move was unveiled as Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted talks with business and union leaders yesterday, about measures aimed at safeguarding jobs during the downturn.

At the 'Jobs Summit', Brown said spending £500m would help 500,000 people into work or work-focused training. Meanwhile, parents and carers who have taken more than five years off work will be offered £500 training grants, to make them more employable, the Guardian reports.

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is planning to pilot the scheme, more details of which will are expected to be revealed this week.