The Programme that focused on Long Term Unemployed people in Hull was aired last night. As i said - it was a gritty slice of reality showing the real problems that some people face in a city like Hull - where there is high unemployment and many low skill, part time jobs.

I visited Hull yesterday - and spent time with the clients and staff in the A4e office. Within the large building there are many activities - all supporting people. A lot of the activities are attended by people who have volunteered to be there as well as people who have been mandated to attend. Education,..Emma HarrisonView Complete Post

I thought i would share the inside track on the making of the Documentary - Benefit Busters.

More than a year ago a guy called Stephen Lambert phoned me up. Stephen and i had previously worked together on two TV programmes - Make me a Million and Secret Millionaire - he is very good at what he does. He told me that he wanted to make a documentary about real people involved in the benefits system to be screened on Channel Four. We had a couple of meetings ( and a few phone calls) and after some serious thinking A4e agreed to take part. The Department for Work and ..Emma HarrisonView Complete Post

The Benefit Busters series on Channel Four is getting a lot of publicity.  I was just watching BBC Breakfast - and there was Hayley Taylor 'the star' of the Doncaster based programme that features the work she does with loan parents.

I have met Hayley many times now - and she is a force to be reckoned with - The BBC obviously thought so too - asking if they could clone her and send her around the UK helping people with her remarkable brand of 'tough love.'

This would be a good idea! - apart from it is not really necessary...  I have also met thousands of A4e p..Emma HarrisonView Complete Post

On the 20th August - you will see the first in a series of programmes we made in conjunction with Studio Lambert for C4.

The first programme highlights the reality of being a single mum looking for work. You will meet mums' who quite openly talk about their fears, their financial situation and how they feel far, far away from the world of work. Hayley is their tutor - she is an inspiration. Working with the women they go on an emotional journey. It is a rollercoaster of a ride - sharing their lives. Watch this - and perhaps we will hear no more talk of it being a..Emma HarrisonView Complete Post