The Government has joined forces with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to offer up to 10,000 graduates a boost to their future employability, through internships in small and micro businesses announced the Prime Minister Gordon Brown today.
The Prime Minister said:
“Our guarantee to all young people is that with millions of new opportunities from apprenticeships to internships to a new class of modern technicians, we will discover, coach, develop and showcase the wealth of aspiration and talent that exists in Britain.
“To add to the 100,000 new young people’s jobs we are already creating, we can today offer in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, 10,000 skilled internships so that, even in the midst of tough economic times, we are encouraging a whole new generation of young Britons to embrace ambition and British enterprise.”
Read more: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=431&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=407128&SubjectId=36
www.ukba.co.uk
Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Monday, 26 October 2009
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Employment legislation biggest burden for firms, says FPB
The cost of complying with employment legislation is the biggest administrative burden for small businesses, according to a survey carried out by the Forum of Private Business (FPB). The results of the FPB's 'Cost of Compliance' survey show that UK small firms spend a total of £2.4 billion every year on complying with employment legislation. The FPB adds that employment law is also a growing burden for firms that have to make redundancies or dismiss staff.
For more on this story go to:
http://www.fpb.org/news/2243/Help_at_hand_for_small_firms_struggling_with_employment_law.htm
www.ukba.co.uk
For more on this story go to:
http://www.fpb.org/news/2243/Help_at_hand_for_small_firms_struggling_with_employment_law.htm
www.ukba.co.uk
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Ministers fear recovery will fail to reduce unemployment
Ministers are urgently drawing up measures to try to prevent a "job-lite recovery" in which unemployment continues to rise even when the economy starts to grow again.
Official figures due out today are expected to show that unemployment has risen to about 2.5 million. There are growing fears that it will remain above two million by the end of 2010.
A Back to Work White Paper will be published alongside the pre-Budget report in November. Although the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, will spell out the first of the spending cuts promised yesterday by Gordon Brown, he is also expected to expand programmes to combat unemployment.
The White Paper will include new opportunities for the young jobless, to prevent the recession creating a "lost generation", help for older people who have been out of work for more than six months, those on long-term sickness benefits and the mentally ill, and a boost for childcare to enable more mothers to return to work.
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ministers-fear-recovery-will-fail-to-reduce-unemployment-1787954.html
www.ukba.co.uk
Official figures due out today are expected to show that unemployment has risen to about 2.5 million. There are growing fears that it will remain above two million by the end of 2010.
A Back to Work White Paper will be published alongside the pre-Budget report in November. Although the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, will spell out the first of the spending cuts promised yesterday by Gordon Brown, he is also expected to expand programmes to combat unemployment.
The White Paper will include new opportunities for the young jobless, to prevent the recession creating a "lost generation", help for older people who have been out of work for more than six months, those on long-term sickness benefits and the mentally ill, and a boost for childcare to enable more mothers to return to work.
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ministers-fear-recovery-will-fail-to-reduce-unemployment-1787954.html
www.ukba.co.uk
Monday, 28 September 2009
New rule to protect British workers
Jobs will have to be advertised to British workers in job centres for four weeks before companies can employ individuals from outside of Europe, under new government measures to be introduced at the start of next year.
At the moment jobs have to be advertised for two weeks before they can be given to an individual who is outside Europe.
The minimum salary that will allow an individual to qualify as a skilled worker and be eligible to work in the UK will also rise from £17,000 to £20,000.
"These changes will ensure that businesses can recruit the skilled foreign workers that the economy needs, but not at the expense of British workers, nor as a cheaper alternative to investing in the skills of the existing workforce," said Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
www.ukba.co.uk
At the moment jobs have to be advertised for two weeks before they can be given to an individual who is outside Europe.
The minimum salary that will allow an individual to qualify as a skilled worker and be eligible to work in the UK will also rise from £17,000 to £20,000.
"These changes will ensure that businesses can recruit the skilled foreign workers that the economy needs, but not at the expense of British workers, nor as a cheaper alternative to investing in the skills of the existing workforce," said Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
www.ukba.co.uk
Thursday, 24 September 2009
New recruitment ‘set to rise‘
The number of businesses planning to take on new employees has risen for the first time in three years, according to a study by recruitment company Manpower.
The research revealed that firms in the sectors of transport, communications, hotels and restaurants were most likely to take on new staff in the coming months.
"There are a number of early positive hiring indicators emerging which suggest we may have reached a turning point," said Mark Cahill of Manpower.
www.ukba.co.uk
The research revealed that firms in the sectors of transport, communications, hotels and restaurants were most likely to take on new staff in the coming months.
"There are a number of early positive hiring indicators emerging which suggest we may have reached a turning point," said Mark Cahill of Manpower.
www.ukba.co.uk
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Sugar apprentice site 'a gimmick'
A website for apprenticeships in England backed by Lord Sugar has filled 1,185 vacancies out of the 18,000 advertised, figures show.
The Conservatives have branded it a "failure" and an "expensive gimmick".
Lord Sugar, the face of BBC's The Apprentice and now government enterprise tsar, said businesses should get behind the scheme.
The government said the apprentice system was working, and successful completion rates were rising.
In June, a parliamentary answer given by the Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said 616 apprenticeship vacancies had been filled out of 17,588 advertised.
But the National Apprenticeship Service said building up the numbers of vacancies and applications was "taking time".
The number of apprenticeships accepted has risen rapidly since that date as students reach the end of their courses, it said.
Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8193681.stm
www.ukba.co.uk
The Conservatives have branded it a "failure" and an "expensive gimmick".
Lord Sugar, the face of BBC's The Apprentice and now government enterprise tsar, said businesses should get behind the scheme.
The government said the apprentice system was working, and successful completion rates were rising.
In June, a parliamentary answer given by the Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said 616 apprenticeship vacancies had been filled out of 17,588 advertised.
But the National Apprenticeship Service said building up the numbers of vacancies and applications was "taking time".
The number of apprenticeships accepted has risen rapidly since that date as students reach the end of their courses, it said.
Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8193681.stm
www.ukba.co.uk
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
SMEs ‘scared to make redundancies’
Despite the recent rise in the unemployment rate research has suggested that small business owners are afraid of making redundancies for fear of being sued for unfair dismissal.
According to research conducted by business insurers Premierline Direct small firms fear the potential financial consequences of redundancies, with limits on awards for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments increasing earlier this year.
Of those small business owners concerned about being sued by workers over 70% said that their firm did not have necessary funds to pay out compensation and 36% said would be worried they hadn't followed the correct procedures.
37% of small businesses that have had to let staff go did not seek legal or HR advice beforehand, leaving themselves open to potential legal action.
"Redundancies have increased considerably in line with the economy's performance and many business owners are facing the prospect of having to make staff redundant; something which they might not have experienced before," said Chris Little, managing director of Premierline Direct.
www.ukba.co.uk
According to research conducted by business insurers Premierline Direct small firms fear the potential financial consequences of redundancies, with limits on awards for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments increasing earlier this year.
Of those small business owners concerned about being sued by workers over 70% said that their firm did not have necessary funds to pay out compensation and 36% said would be worried they hadn't followed the correct procedures.
37% of small businesses that have had to let staff go did not seek legal or HR advice beforehand, leaving themselves open to potential legal action.
"Redundancies have increased considerably in line with the economy's performance and many business owners are facing the prospect of having to make staff redundant; something which they might not have experienced before," said Chris Little, managing director of Premierline Direct.
www.ukba.co.uk
Thursday, 20 August 2009
UK job losses declining
The rate of decline in the UK job market is slowing, according to research conduced by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
In the second quarter of this year the balance of firms cutting jobs over those recruiting in the private sector shrunk from the previous three months' figure of -30% to -2%. This means that recruitment has almost caught up with job losses in the UK private sector.
"When it comes to the immediate jobs outlook, the best that can be said is that things are getting worse more slowly," said Mr Philpott, chief economist at the CIPD.
www.ukba.co.uk
In the second quarter of this year the balance of firms cutting jobs over those recruiting in the private sector shrunk from the previous three months' figure of -30% to -2%. This means that recruitment has almost caught up with job losses in the UK private sector.
"When it comes to the immediate jobs outlook, the best that can be said is that things are getting worse more slowly," said Mr Philpott, chief economist at the CIPD.
www.ukba.co.uk
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Changing terms and conditions of employment
It is not unusual for employers to want to change their employees' terms and conditions of employment to bring them into line with changes in the law or developments in the sector, or just to make them more user friendly.
Recently, however, many employers have considered doing so to save costs in the current economic downturn. For example, by changing shift patterns to reduce the need for overtime, removing benefits that can no longer be afforded, or even reducing rates of pay.
It must be remembered that a contract of employment is like any other contract, and generally cannot be varied unilaterally. Also, each employment contract is a unique agreement between the employer and the individual employee. The fact that more than 99% of the staff have agreed to a variation will not make it binding on the one individual who has not.
However, there are ways and means by which employers can achieve the desired objective.
Read more here: http://www.fpb.org/hottips/452/Changing_terms_and_conditions_of_employment.htm
Author: http://www.maceandjones.co.uk/
www.ukba.co.uk
Recently, however, many employers have considered doing so to save costs in the current economic downturn. For example, by changing shift patterns to reduce the need for overtime, removing benefits that can no longer be afforded, or even reducing rates of pay.
It must be remembered that a contract of employment is like any other contract, and generally cannot be varied unilaterally. Also, each employment contract is a unique agreement between the employer and the individual employee. The fact that more than 99% of the staff have agreed to a variation will not make it binding on the one individual who has not.
However, there are ways and means by which employers can achieve the desired objective.
Read more here: http://www.fpb.org/hottips/452/Changing_terms_and_conditions_of_employment.htm
Author: http://www.maceandjones.co.uk/
www.ukba.co.uk
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Limited company sub-contractor deemed to be 'employee' in unfair dismissal claim
A recent Employment Tribunal has found in favour of a limited company sub-contractor, who successfully managed to claim for unfair dismissal against his client as his working practices were seen to be akin to those of an 'employee'.
Andrew Tilson, a sub-contractor, working through his own limited company, took Alstom Transport to an employment tribunal - claiming for unfair dismissal.
Alstom, which operates several underground train services in the capital, claimed that Tilson could not claim for unfair dismissal as he was working via his own limited company, and was not an employee.
However, Tilson's barrister argued that, despite paying his own income tax and NICs, the way the claimant interacted with Alstom at the Golders Green depot was the true indicator of his employment status.
The Tribunal Judge agreed, and said that the close working relationship between the claimant and Alstom Transport demonstrated that Tilson was, in fact, an "employee", and could therefore claim for unfair dismissal under the terms of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
This hearing could have have ramifications for users of sub-contractors in many other industries apart from IT, and is more evidence that the true employment status of contractors can only be derived from the true working practices they follow, rather than the wording of any contracts they have in place, or the company structure they work under.
www.ukba.co.uk
Andrew Tilson, a sub-contractor, working through his own limited company, took Alstom Transport to an employment tribunal - claiming for unfair dismissal.
Alstom, which operates several underground train services in the capital, claimed that Tilson could not claim for unfair dismissal as he was working via his own limited company, and was not an employee.
However, Tilson's barrister argued that, despite paying his own income tax and NICs, the way the claimant interacted with Alstom at the Golders Green depot was the true indicator of his employment status.
The Tribunal Judge agreed, and said that the close working relationship between the claimant and Alstom Transport demonstrated that Tilson was, in fact, an "employee", and could therefore claim for unfair dismissal under the terms of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
This hearing could have have ramifications for users of sub-contractors in many other industries apart from IT, and is more evidence that the true employment status of contractors can only be derived from the true working practices they follow, rather than the wording of any contracts they have in place, or the company structure they work under.
www.ukba.co.uk
Sunday, 12 July 2009
New Employment Measures Necessary During Critical Recovery Period
Alternative to redundancy proposed
Business leaders believe a package of labour market investments and reforms, including an alternative to redundancy, could help stem the tide of job losses as the recession pushes unemployment towards three million.
A report by the CBI and Siemens plc also highlights longer-term issues and warns that levels of employment regulation are at a "tipping point", having added £70bn to business costs since 1998.
The report stresses that the UK must work much harder to remain an attractive global jobs destination, and that there is a need to improve skills levels and assess the real impact of employment laws on future job creation.
Although firms are doing their utmost to protect jobs by introducing flexible working and pay freezes, the CBI predicts that unemployment will continue rising to peak at 3.03 million in the second quarter of 2010, so action taken in the short term could still save jobs and businesses.
Read more: http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/9b9a4bacc1622174802575e400370f75?OpenDocument
www.ukba.co.uk
Business leaders believe a package of labour market investments and reforms, including an alternative to redundancy, could help stem the tide of job losses as the recession pushes unemployment towards three million.
A report by the CBI and Siemens plc also highlights longer-term issues and warns that levels of employment regulation are at a "tipping point", having added £70bn to business costs since 1998.
The report stresses that the UK must work much harder to remain an attractive global jobs destination, and that there is a need to improve skills levels and assess the real impact of employment laws on future job creation.
Although firms are doing their utmost to protect jobs by introducing flexible working and pay freezes, the CBI predicts that unemployment will continue rising to peak at 3.03 million in the second quarter of 2010, so action taken in the short term could still save jobs and businesses.
Read more: http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/9b9a4bacc1622174802575e400370f75?OpenDocument
www.ukba.co.uk
Monday, 29 June 2009
60% of businesses in the UK plan to freeze pay or negotiate pay cuts with staff
......according to a new employment survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and recruitment group Harvey Nash.
The survey of more than 700 companies also revealed that more than half the businesses surveyed expect recruitment levels to take more than a year to return to 2007 levels and 40% revealed they have put a freeze on graduate recruitment.
However, the survey also showed that many job losses had been avoided by staff working with their employees over reduced rates of pay and patterns of work.
"This has been a particularly bruising recession, but one of its most positive and striking aspects has been the commitment of many businesses and their staff to work together to try to trim costs and save jobs," said John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General.
www.ukba.co.uk
The survey of more than 700 companies also revealed that more than half the businesses surveyed expect recruitment levels to take more than a year to return to 2007 levels and 40% revealed they have put a freeze on graduate recruitment.
However, the survey also showed that many job losses had been avoided by staff working with their employees over reduced rates of pay and patterns of work.
"This has been a particularly bruising recession, but one of its most positive and striking aspects has been the commitment of many businesses and their staff to work together to try to trim costs and save jobs," said John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General.
www.ukba.co.uk
Friday, 12 June 2009
Businesses across the country share £11 million to create nearly 3000 new places
More apprenticeships will be open to young people thanks to £11 million in Government funding as part of a new approach to help employers train the skilled workers of the future, Skills Secretary John Denham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced recently.
Businesses which already have a proven track record in offering high-quality apprenticeships will share the cash to train extra apprentices - over and above those they already employ. This will result in around 3,000 new apprentices being trained at 16 firms over the next two years and allow smaller firms to benefit from the expertise of businesses which have been training apprentices successfully for some time.
Nearly 60 per cent of the funding will be targeted towards 16 to 18-year-olds with the majority of the remaining support going to support 19 to 24-year-old apprenticeships.
The announcement delivers on a pledge by Ministers in last year’s Apprenticeship Review to explore financial incentives so larger firms could take on apprentices, benefiting smaller companies in their supply chains which could take them on at a later date. At the same time, the move supports more young people and helps build a more highly skilled workforce.
The firms which have so far reached agreement with the Government will offer a wide range of apprenticeship frameworks, including motoring and sport and leisure, reflecting the diversity of apprenticeships now available.
The move will help deliver on the Government’s recent commitment to fund an extra 35,000 places across the public and private sectors backed by an additional £140 million of funding.
www.ukba.co.uk
Businesses which already have a proven track record in offering high-quality apprenticeships will share the cash to train extra apprentices - over and above those they already employ. This will result in around 3,000 new apprentices being trained at 16 firms over the next two years and allow smaller firms to benefit from the expertise of businesses which have been training apprentices successfully for some time.
Nearly 60 per cent of the funding will be targeted towards 16 to 18-year-olds with the majority of the remaining support going to support 19 to 24-year-old apprenticeships.
The announcement delivers on a pledge by Ministers in last year’s Apprenticeship Review to explore financial incentives so larger firms could take on apprentices, benefiting smaller companies in their supply chains which could take them on at a later date. At the same time, the move supports more young people and helps build a more highly skilled workforce.
The firms which have so far reached agreement with the Government will offer a wide range of apprenticeship frameworks, including motoring and sport and leisure, reflecting the diversity of apprenticeships now available.
The move will help deliver on the Government’s recent commitment to fund an extra 35,000 places across the public and private sectors backed by an additional £140 million of funding.
www.ukba.co.uk
Monday, 11 May 2009
The rate of job losses fell steeply from around 47,000 to 7,000 from the start of 2009 to mid-April
According to Warwick Business School there were around 24,000 job losses in the four weeks to mid-December, 47,000 in January, 24,000 in March and just 7,000 in the four weeks to April 12th.
If the Warwick figures provide an accurate predictor then the labour market could recover sooner than economists forecast.
"Although the data are not an indicator of unemployment per se, I think the steep fall in the ‘announced job losses' gives a pretty good indication that the labour market is recovering somewhat," said Thomas Prosser, researcher at Warwick university.
Official statistics recently revealed that the number of unemployed people in the UK has risen to 2.1m - the highest figure since 1997.
www.ukba.co.uk
If the Warwick figures provide an accurate predictor then the labour market could recover sooner than economists forecast.
"Although the data are not an indicator of unemployment per se, I think the steep fall in the ‘announced job losses' gives a pretty good indication that the labour market is recovering somewhat," said Thomas Prosser, researcher at Warwick university.
Official statistics recently revealed that the number of unemployed people in the UK has risen to 2.1m - the highest figure since 1997.
www.ukba.co.uk
Friday, 1 May 2009
The National Council for Work Experience (NCWE) has launched a free online information and recruitment initiative to help SMEs
Find Me A Student! is a central resource for businesses to find local information and contact details for university placement services, job shops and independent placement organisations with student initiatives.
"The downturn has seen business interest in establishing student placement schemes soar," said Heather Collier, Director for the NCWE.
"Many HR professionals working in smaller companies have expressed an interest in implementing a work placement scheme but felt that a lack of information has prevented them from gaining access to students with the desired skill set."
Soucre: http://www.work-experience.org
www.ukba.co.uk
"The downturn has seen business interest in establishing student placement schemes soar," said Heather Collier, Director for the NCWE.
"Many HR professionals working in smaller companies have expressed an interest in implementing a work placement scheme but felt that a lack of information has prevented them from gaining access to students with the desired skill set."
Soucre: http://www.work-experience.org
www.ukba.co.uk
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Budget Summary - Alistair Darling presented his second Budget on Wednesday 22 April 2009.
Read a summary report here.
Having acknowledged the depth of the recession, he hinted that the Budget measures would enable the UK economy to begin to grow 'by the end of the year'.
As always the timing of the changes needs to be carefully watched – some are immediate but some are delayed to 2010 and beyond.
Our summary focuses on the issues likely to affect you, your family and your business.
Main Budget proposals
:: Introduction of a 50% top rate of tax for those with income over £150,000 from 2010 and phased reduction of personal allowances for those with income over £100,000.
:: Increases in ISA limits from October this year for those aged over 50 and for everyone from April 2010.
:: Enhanced relief for trading losses extended by a further year.
:: Short term increase in capital allowances on most plant and machinery.
:: Extension of the furnished holiday lettings scheme to properties in the EEA but then the removal of the scheme completely from April 2010.
:: Names of deliberate tax defaulters to be published where default was tax in excess of £25,000.
Previous announcements
Many of the changes detailed in this summary have been the subject of earlier announcements. Here is a reminder of some of the more important ones:
:: removal of the £12,000 'expensive car' limit for capital allowance purposes
:: availability of non-repayable tax credit on overseas dividends received by any individual
:: removal of tax charge for companies on overseas dividends
:: extension of HMRC compliance powers across all the taxes dealt with by HMRC.
For more details in the different areas the budget covered - click on the relevant link below:
Introduction
Alistair Darling presented his second Budget on Wednesday 22 April 2009.
Personal Tax
Details of the changes to personal tax.
Corporate and Business Tax
Details of the changes to corporate and business tax.
Employment Issues
Details of the changes to employment issues.
Capital Taxes
Details of the changes to capital taxes.
VAT
Details of the changes to VAT.
HMRC Powers
Details of the changes to HMRC powers.
Other Matters
Details of Child Trust Fund, Charities: substantial donors, Landfill tax and the Business Payment Support Service.
Source: Faust Loveday Bell
www.ukba.co.uk
Having acknowledged the depth of the recession, he hinted that the Budget measures would enable the UK economy to begin to grow 'by the end of the year'.
As always the timing of the changes needs to be carefully watched – some are immediate but some are delayed to 2010 and beyond.
Our summary focuses on the issues likely to affect you, your family and your business.
Main Budget proposals
:: Introduction of a 50% top rate of tax for those with income over £150,000 from 2010 and phased reduction of personal allowances for those with income over £100,000.
:: Increases in ISA limits from October this year for those aged over 50 and for everyone from April 2010.
:: Enhanced relief for trading losses extended by a further year.
:: Short term increase in capital allowances on most plant and machinery.
:: Extension of the furnished holiday lettings scheme to properties in the EEA but then the removal of the scheme completely from April 2010.
:: Names of deliberate tax defaulters to be published where default was tax in excess of £25,000.
Previous announcements
Many of the changes detailed in this summary have been the subject of earlier announcements. Here is a reminder of some of the more important ones:
:: removal of the £12,000 'expensive car' limit for capital allowance purposes
:: availability of non-repayable tax credit on overseas dividends received by any individual
:: removal of tax charge for companies on overseas dividends
:: extension of HMRC compliance powers across all the taxes dealt with by HMRC.
For more details in the different areas the budget covered - click on the relevant link below:
Introduction
Alistair Darling presented his second Budget on Wednesday 22 April 2009.
Personal Tax
Details of the changes to personal tax.
Corporate and Business Tax
Details of the changes to corporate and business tax.
Employment Issues
Details of the changes to employment issues.
Capital Taxes
Details of the changes to capital taxes.
VAT
Details of the changes to VAT.
HMRC Powers
Details of the changes to HMRC powers.
Other Matters
Details of Child Trust Fund, Charities: substantial donors, Landfill tax and the Business Payment Support Service.
Source: Faust Loveday Bell
www.ukba.co.uk
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
UK companies are trying to fight the credit crunch by cutting staff and freezing pay, according to a survey by the Hay Group consultancy.
Around 37% of the UK businesses surveyed reported that last month they had cut back on staff - almost double the figure from November - and 38% have implemented a pay freeze.
UK companies also reported a much small average base salary increase, an average of 1% compared to 2.8% worldwide.
Despite these figures, British companies are more optimistic about the future then many other nations - possibly reflecting the fact that many UK firms have already taken the action they feel they need to survive the recession, such as salary and wage cuts.
www.ukba.co.uk
UK companies also reported a much small average base salary increase, an average of 1% compared to 2.8% worldwide.
Despite these figures, British companies are more optimistic about the future then many other nations - possibly reflecting the fact that many UK firms have already taken the action they feel they need to survive the recession, such as salary and wage cuts.
www.ukba.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
