The rate of UK consumer price inflation remained unchanged at 2.7{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} for the fourth consecutive month in January, official data has shown.    A big rise in the prices of alcohol and tobacco was the biggest factor driving prices up, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. At the same...

UK businesses are concerned about a skills shortage that is challenging growth, according to new research from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR)*. Around four in ten (38{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) UK companies are struggling to recruit the right people, with nearly three quarters (72{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) citing a lack of technical skills...

A new report suggests that there was a 5.2{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} increase in hiring levels across the UK in the fourth quarter of 2012 when compared to quarter four 2011. Opportunities within commerce and industry have fallen by 34{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} in London but nationwide vacancies within the private sector have jumped by...

“Despite the Government’s rhetoric on growth, we’ve learned today that the economy essentially did not grow at all during 2012. This is not really surprising. Having cut capital spending, the Government has instead placed its faith in the supposed confidence effect of deficit reduction to boost growth, using any...

New research on what students think about how their universities prepare them for working life was published today (Thursday 17 January) by GTI Media Research.   Great Expectations is based on a survey of more than 2,300 undergraduates conducted at the end of 2012 by GTI Media Research.   97{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} of...

A new survey from social job search engine reveals that more than half of UK jobseekers are now using social networks as part of the job hunting process. With 2.5 million out of work and youth unemployment at a record high, Britons are turning to social networks such as...

Youth unemployment will again exceed a million in 2013 according to predictions by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The independent think tank’s analysis published in December predicts that up to 86,000 additional young people under 25 are likely to swell the ranks of those already unemployed during the...

The much valued benefit of flexible working is now being used to attract employees, with over two thirds (64{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) of employers saying it helps staff engagement and motivation, while 23{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} said it helped to keep staff who would otherwise leave, according to a recent survey from Hays, the leading...

In one of the first recorded cases in the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (AWR) we now have an initial view of the Employment Tribunal’s approach to ‘flipping’ agency workers onto a Regulation 10 compliant contract. To recap: Regulation 10 AWR Under the AWR, agency workers are entitled to equal...

The government has confirmed that its use of the Managed Service Companies (MSC) legislation to recover tax and National Insurance has escalated significantly in the past year. Lawspeed submitted two Freedom of Information requests to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and discovered that the number of enquiries alive at...

Recent research by total jobs has revealed that the vast majority of public sector workers (90{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) would recommend a career in public service to graduates and school leavers, indicating that the future of public sector recruitment looks positive despite budget cuts. The survey of 2,500 public sector workers cited...

Small and medium sized employers looking to offer Apprenticeships in England have been given a boost as the National Apprenticeship Service announces moves to help even more employers recruit an apprentice. New funding and service levels announced Employers lend their voices to new nationwide radio advertising campaign to promote...

The unemployment rate across the eurozone hit a new all-time high of 11.8{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} in November, official figures have shown.  This is a slight rise on 11.7{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} for the 17-nation region in October. The rate for the European Union as a whole in November was unchanged at 10.7{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}.   Spain, which...

Recent comments from the Head of Policy at the Forum of Private Business, Alex Jackman, said: “In terms of business, the Government has made progress in some areas, but it’s got a lot more to do. “David Cameron said on every issue that Britain’s wealth creators have demanded action,...

Activity in the UK’s services sector fell for the first time in two years in December, a survey has suggested, raising fears of yet another recession.   The PMI services index from Markit/CIPS fell to 48.9 in December, down from 50.2 in November. Any score below 50 indicates the sector...