The Midlands TUC has published a new newsletter which can be found at: https://www.tuc.org.uk/the_tuc/tuc-17382-f0.cfm?regional=6
This is an occasional publication and back copies can be viewed at the Midl;ands TUC website: https://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/newsletters.cfm?regional=6
Midlands TUC Media This blog contains material from the Midlands TUC. Our media releases will appear on this site as well as linking to the Midlands TUC website which hosts our enewsletters and much more.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Over 14,000 will spend their second successive Christmas on the dole in the East Midlands
Over 14,000 east midland people will be spending their second successive Christmas on the dole, a TUC analysis of labour market statistics reveals today (Wednesday).
The TUC analysis shows that the number of people in the region claiming Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) for over 12 months has increased from 6,400 in December 2008 to 14,350 in November 2009 and the number of long-term dole claimants will continue to rise into the new year, the TUC says.
The national analysis reveals that 58 local authority areas already have over 1,000 long-term JSA claimants, compared to just 19 in December 2008. In the east midlands there are two local authorities, Leicester and Nottingham, which have exceeded two thousand JSA claimants. Northampton and Derby have both seen significant increases in the long term unemployed, pushing both local authority areas closer to 1,000 JSA claimants. The number of JSA claimants has more than doubled in 34 local authority areas across the east midlands, with sharp rises away from the three cities in areas such as Erewash, Corby, Blaby, Daventry and Melton.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “The festive period is an expensive time of year and the 200,000 people spending their second Christmas on the dole face even greater financial hardship.
“While millions of working families are enjoying their Christmas food and presents together, those reliant on JSA will struggle to afford much Christmas cheer.
“Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.
“Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency.
“The Government should extend its job guarantee for young people to anyone out of work for 18 months to stop people getting mired in semi-permanent joblessness.”
For the full release and statistics go to: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-17373-f0.cfm?regional=6
The TUC analysis shows that the number of people in the region claiming Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) for over 12 months has increased from 6,400 in December 2008 to 14,350 in November 2009 and the number of long-term dole claimants will continue to rise into the new year, the TUC says.
The national analysis reveals that 58 local authority areas already have over 1,000 long-term JSA claimants, compared to just 19 in December 2008. In the east midlands there are two local authorities, Leicester and Nottingham, which have exceeded two thousand JSA claimants. Northampton and Derby have both seen significant increases in the long term unemployed, pushing both local authority areas closer to 1,000 JSA claimants. The number of JSA claimants has more than doubled in 34 local authority areas across the east midlands, with sharp rises away from the three cities in areas such as Erewash, Corby, Blaby, Daventry and Melton.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “The festive period is an expensive time of year and the 200,000 people spending their second Christmas on the dole face even greater financial hardship.
“While millions of working families are enjoying their Christmas food and presents together, those reliant on JSA will struggle to afford much Christmas cheer.
“Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.
“Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency.
“The Government should extend its job guarantee for young people to anyone out of work for 18 months to stop people getting mired in semi-permanent joblessness.”
For the full release and statistics go to: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-17373-f0.cfm?regional=6
Over 27,000 people in the west midlands spending second Christmas on the dole
Over 27,000 west midlands people will be spending their second successive Christmas on the dole, a TUC analysis of labour market statistics reveals today (Wednesday).
The TUC analysis shows that the number of people in the region claiming Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) for over 12 months has increased from 15,200 in December 2008 to 27,500 in November 2009 and the number of long-term dole claimants will continue to rise into the new year, the TUC says.
The national analysis reveals that 58 local authority areas already have over 1,000 long-term JSA claimants, compared to just 19 in December 2008. In the west midlands there are now seven local authorities with over 1,000 JSA claimants compared to just one, Birmingham, a year ago. In addition to Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall have all seen significant increases in the long term unemployed, each recording over 1,000 additional JSA claimants since December 2008. The number of JSA claimants has more than doubled in 21 local authority areas across the west midlands, with sharp rises away from the west midlands conurbation in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Cannock Chase, Tamworth, Redditch and Stratford-on-Avon.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “The festive period is an expensive time of year and the 200,000 people spending their second Christmas on the dole face even greater financial hardship.
“While millions of working families are enjoying their Christmas food and presents together, those reliant on JSA will struggle to afford much Christmas cheer.
“Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.
“Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency.
“The Government should extend its job guarantee for young people to anyone out of work for 18 months to stop people getting mired in semi-permanent joblessness.”
For the full press release and statistics go to: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-17372-f0.cfm?regional=6
The TUC analysis shows that the number of people in the region claiming Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) for over 12 months has increased from 15,200 in December 2008 to 27,500 in November 2009 and the number of long-term dole claimants will continue to rise into the new year, the TUC says.
The national analysis reveals that 58 local authority areas already have over 1,000 long-term JSA claimants, compared to just 19 in December 2008. In the west midlands there are now seven local authorities with over 1,000 JSA claimants compared to just one, Birmingham, a year ago. In addition to Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall have all seen significant increases in the long term unemployed, each recording over 1,000 additional JSA claimants since December 2008. The number of JSA claimants has more than doubled in 21 local authority areas across the west midlands, with sharp rises away from the west midlands conurbation in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Cannock Chase, Tamworth, Redditch and Stratford-on-Avon.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “The festive period is an expensive time of year and the 200,000 people spending their second Christmas on the dole face even greater financial hardship.
“While millions of working families are enjoying their Christmas food and presents together, those reliant on JSA will struggle to afford much Christmas cheer.
“Every job loss is a human tragedy, but when people are out of work for over a year they risk being permanently scarred by joblessness.
“Government investment has kept unemployment well below the levels reached in previous recessions, but there can be no room for complacency.
“The Government should extend its job guarantee for young people to anyone out of work for 18 months to stop people getting mired in semi-permanent joblessness.”
For the full press release and statistics go to: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-17372-f0.cfm?regional=6
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
CWU Youth Conference and Social event - 29th and 30th January 2010
The CWU will be holding its Annual Youth Conference on Saturday 30th January 2010 at the Regional Offices, 46-48 Summer Lane, Birmingham, B19 3TH. The CWU would like to offer any young activists from other unions the fraternal invitation to attend this event as a visitor and guest of the CWU.
In addition, the CWU Midland Regional Youth Committee (MRYC) have organised a social event the night before for attending delegates. This is an open invite to that event also.
The venue for the social event is:
VELVET BAR
200 BROAD STREET
BIRMINGHAM
B15 1SU
The social kicks off from 19:30 till late. There will be a buffet available and music from the brilliant experimental hip-hop band 7th Wave and guest DJ’s. The MRYC have as one of their priorities for the year to fund raise for the CWU Humanitarian Aid charity - the social event is an ideal opportunity to generate donations for CWU HA in the form of raffle prizes etc. Any assistance in this venture would be very much appreciated and the CWU Midland Youth Committee would welcome any affordable donations unions can afford to make fund raising for CWU HA more successful.
To donate for the purchasing of raffle prizes etc please make any cheques payable to “CWU YOUTH” or to donate directly to CWU HA please make any cheques payable to “CWU Humanitarian Aid” – please send any donations to:
CWU Midland Regional Youth Committee,
C/O CWU Room G01,
29 St. Katherines Street,
Northampton, NN1 2QZ
For more info on CWU HA go to: http://www.cwuha.org/
On behalf of the CWU I sincerely hope that a young activist from your Union will be able to attend the Youth Conference and the social event. To reserve a place please contact me at:
MIDLAND REGIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE
c/o CWU Room GO1
29 St Katherines Street,
Northampton, NN1 2QZ
Mob: 07711070684 Email: gareth.eales@yahoo.co.uk
Yours fraternally,
Gareth Eales
CWU Midland Regional Youth Secretary
In addition, the CWU Midland Regional Youth Committee (MRYC) have organised a social event the night before for attending delegates. This is an open invite to that event also.
The venue for the social event is:
VELVET BAR
200 BROAD STREET
BIRMINGHAM
B15 1SU
The social kicks off from 19:30 till late. There will be a buffet available and music from the brilliant experimental hip-hop band 7th Wave and guest DJ’s. The MRYC have as one of their priorities for the year to fund raise for the CWU Humanitarian Aid charity - the social event is an ideal opportunity to generate donations for CWU HA in the form of raffle prizes etc. Any assistance in this venture would be very much appreciated and the CWU Midland Youth Committee would welcome any affordable donations unions can afford to make fund raising for CWU HA more successful.
To donate for the purchasing of raffle prizes etc please make any cheques payable to “CWU YOUTH” or to donate directly to CWU HA please make any cheques payable to “CWU Humanitarian Aid” – please send any donations to:
CWU Midland Regional Youth Committee,
C/O CWU Room G01,
29 St. Katherines Street,
Northampton, NN1 2QZ
For more info on CWU HA go to: http://www.cwuha.org/
On behalf of the CWU I sincerely hope that a young activist from your Union will be able to attend the Youth Conference and the social event. To reserve a place please contact me at:
MIDLAND REGIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE
c/o CWU Room GO1
29 St Katherines Street,
Northampton, NN1 2QZ
Mob: 07711070684 Email: gareth.eales@yahoo.co.uk
Yours fraternally,
Gareth Eales
CWU Midland Regional Youth Secretary
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
TUC sets Chancellor three big tasks for the PBR
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “The Chancellor has three big tasks in the Pre-Budget Report (PBR).
“He must do nothing to endanger economic recovery by taking premature action on the deficit. Unemployment is still rising and the economy remains fragile.
“He must do more to help the jobless, particularly action to prevent this generation of school and college leavers being scarred for life.
“And he must show that those who brought about the crash and did so well out of the boom years will pay the price of putting it right. A windfall tax on bank bonuses should just be the start of building a fair tax system and reforming finance.
“We need a finance system that once again serves the rest of the economy, not just itself.”
“He must do nothing to endanger economic recovery by taking premature action on the deficit. Unemployment is still rising and the economy remains fragile.
“He must do more to help the jobless, particularly action to prevent this generation of school and college leavers being scarred for life.
“And he must show that those who brought about the crash and did so well out of the boom years will pay the price of putting it right. A windfall tax on bank bonuses should just be the start of building a fair tax system and reforming finance.
“We need a finance system that once again serves the rest of the economy, not just itself.”
Monday, 7 December 2009
Leading economists say now is not the time to cut spending
Commenting on the letter from a dozen leading economists urging the Chancellor not to undermine recovery with cuts, published in the Financial Times today (Monday), TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“This letter that shows that while politicians talk tough on public spending, our leading economists are deeply concerned about immediate spending cuts which could undermine recovery.
“Those who think the recession is over and are calling for immediate deep public spending cuts are being dangerously complacent.
“With unemployment rising, and both consumer and business confidence on a knife edge, cutting back on spending now runs the risk of sending us into a second wave of recession.”
Full text of letter
Sir, As we look forward to the Pre-Budget Report (PBR) there is inevitability a great deal of debate about the best pace and scale of reductions in the deficit and about how to balance the likely solutions of economic growth, tax and spend.
These are important concerns the Chancellor will want to address but the more immediate focus of the PBR is the financial year ahead. As economists with a variety of specialties, we urge the Chancellor to resist any temptation to start cutting public spending in 2010/11.
Despite improvement in the outlook, taking risks at this point while recovery is delicate would risk a return to recession. What progress has been made towards recovery in the UK and abroad has been, in some considerable part, due to decisions by governments to increase spending as a stimulus, to actively support labour markets and to accept higher deficits as an inevitable outcome of these measures.
To reverse this policy just when it is having an effect would be mistaken. Although, in such unusual times, it is difficult to be sure of the best actions to take, we feel that the balance of risk suggests our country should be more concerned about a likely deepening of unemployment than about possible inflationary pressure.
Reducing the deficit now through spending cuts would undermine the recovery and ultimately damage the public finances further.
Professor David Blanchflower, Dartmouth College and University of Stirling
Professor David Bell, University of Stirling
Professor William Brown, Cambridge University
Professor Paul Dolan, Imperial College, London
Professor Peter Elias, University of Warwick
Professor Robert Elliott, Aberdeen University
Professor Saul Estrin, London School of Economics
Professor Richard Freeman, Harvard University and Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics.
Professor Geraint Johnes, Lancaster University
Professor Robert MacCulloch, Imperial College, London
Professor Stephen Machin, University College London and Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics.
Professor Andrew Oswald, University of Warwick
“This letter that shows that while politicians talk tough on public spending, our leading economists are deeply concerned about immediate spending cuts which could undermine recovery.
“Those who think the recession is over and are calling for immediate deep public spending cuts are being dangerously complacent.
“With unemployment rising, and both consumer and business confidence on a knife edge, cutting back on spending now runs the risk of sending us into a second wave of recession.”
Full text of letter
Sir, As we look forward to the Pre-Budget Report (PBR) there is inevitability a great deal of debate about the best pace and scale of reductions in the deficit and about how to balance the likely solutions of economic growth, tax and spend.
These are important concerns the Chancellor will want to address but the more immediate focus of the PBR is the financial year ahead. As economists with a variety of specialties, we urge the Chancellor to resist any temptation to start cutting public spending in 2010/11.
Despite improvement in the outlook, taking risks at this point while recovery is delicate would risk a return to recession. What progress has been made towards recovery in the UK and abroad has been, in some considerable part, due to decisions by governments to increase spending as a stimulus, to actively support labour markets and to accept higher deficits as an inevitable outcome of these measures.
To reverse this policy just when it is having an effect would be mistaken. Although, in such unusual times, it is difficult to be sure of the best actions to take, we feel that the balance of risk suggests our country should be more concerned about a likely deepening of unemployment than about possible inflationary pressure.
Reducing the deficit now through spending cuts would undermine the recovery and ultimately damage the public finances further.
Professor David Blanchflower, Dartmouth College and University of Stirling
Professor David Bell, University of Stirling
Professor William Brown, Cambridge University
Professor Paul Dolan, Imperial College, London
Professor Peter Elias, University of Warwick
Professor Robert Elliott, Aberdeen University
Professor Saul Estrin, London School of Economics
Professor Richard Freeman, Harvard University and Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics.
Professor Geraint Johnes, Lancaster University
Professor Robert MacCulloch, Imperial College, London
Professor Stephen Machin, University College London and Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics.
Professor Andrew Oswald, University of Warwick
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Midlands TUC condemns English Defence League presence in Nottingham
The Midlands TUC today (Saturday) issued a statement condemning the English Defence League for holding a rally in the centre of Nottingham.
Cheryl Pidgeon, Regional Secretary of the Midlands TUC said, “We know that this group includes football hooligans and racist thugs who are intent on causing trouble. Their claim to be protesting against radical Islam has been shown to be a fraud, as their behaviour in other cities has shown, where they quickly descend into exposing their hate for all Muslims. They have chosen to come to Nottingham on the day that a local football derby match takes place, with Leicester City visiting Forest, and on the day the Mercian Regiment marches through the city. The timing is designed to cause maximum disruption to the people of Nottingham and will place severe demands on police resources today. The Midlands TUC rejects the EDL message of hate, and would urge the people of Nottingham to do the same leaving the EDL in no doubt that their shameful politics is not welcome in this fine city.”
Cheryl Pidgeon, Regional Secretary of the Midlands TUC said, “We know that this group includes football hooligans and racist thugs who are intent on causing trouble. Their claim to be protesting against radical Islam has been shown to be a fraud, as their behaviour in other cities has shown, where they quickly descend into exposing their hate for all Muslims. They have chosen to come to Nottingham on the day that a local football derby match takes place, with Leicester City visiting Forest, and on the day the Mercian Regiment marches through the city. The timing is designed to cause maximum disruption to the people of Nottingham and will place severe demands on police resources today. The Midlands TUC rejects the EDL message of hate, and would urge the people of Nottingham to do the same leaving the EDL in no doubt that their shameful politics is not welcome in this fine city.”
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Government strategy to address violence against women is vital, says TUC
Welcoming the news that Alan Johnson will launch a Government strategy to address violence against women and girls today (Wednesday), on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said:
“As a member of the Elimination of Violence Against Women coalition, we welcome the news the Government will be doing more to address violence against women and girls.
”All areas of Government have a part to play in preventing violence against women and supporting those affected. A cross-governmental strategy recognises the far-reaching and devastating effects of gender-based violence within our communities. Long-term, secure funding to support joined up services for vulnerable women and girls will be crucial in making this strategy effective.
“Trade unionists across the world are committed to tackling violence against women in the home or at work.
“Many union reps see the effects of violence and harassment against women in the workplace, which can also become a refuge for women that suffer abuse at home. Unions must also continue to support abused women and play a key role in tackling violence against them.”
“As a member of the Elimination of Violence Against Women coalition, we welcome the news the Government will be doing more to address violence against women and girls.
”All areas of Government have a part to play in preventing violence against women and supporting those affected. A cross-governmental strategy recognises the far-reaching and devastating effects of gender-based violence within our communities. Long-term, secure funding to support joined up services for vulnerable women and girls will be crucial in making this strategy effective.
“Trade unionists across the world are committed to tackling violence against women in the home or at work.
“Many union reps see the effects of violence and harassment against women in the workplace, which can also become a refuge for women that suffer abuse at home. Unions must also continue to support abused women and play a key role in tackling violence against them.”
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Skills White Paper puts apprenticeships at the heart of education
Commenting on the Skills White Paper, published today (Wednesday), TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said:
“By providing extra funding for advanced apprenticeships and helping trainees to go on to university, the Government is putting apprenticeships at the heart of our education system. Modern apprenticeships have come a long way since going into long-term decline in the 1980s and 1990s.
“The Government’s new target of getting 75 per cent of people under 30 into university or advanced vocational education rightly recognises that both routes matter equally if the UK is to have more highly skilled workers. Raising the status of advanced vocational education will also improve social mobility.
“The right to request time off for training and plans for more Government programmes based on match funding from employers will require a genuine commitment from businesses to invest in staff training.
“The Government must therefore tackle the one in three employers who still provide no staff training if these proposals are to work.
“The White Paper rightly pinpoints the crucial role of union learning representatives in helping employees to engage in training at all levels.”
“By providing extra funding for advanced apprenticeships and helping trainees to go on to university, the Government is putting apprenticeships at the heart of our education system. Modern apprenticeships have come a long way since going into long-term decline in the 1980s and 1990s.
“The Government’s new target of getting 75 per cent of people under 30 into university or advanced vocational education rightly recognises that both routes matter equally if the UK is to have more highly skilled workers. Raising the status of advanced vocational education will also improve social mobility.
“The right to request time off for training and plans for more Government programmes based on match funding from employers will require a genuine commitment from businesses to invest in staff training.
“The Government must therefore tackle the one in three employers who still provide no staff training if these proposals are to work.
“The White Paper rightly pinpoints the crucial role of union learning representatives in helping employees to engage in training at all levels.”
Monday, 26 October 2009
Brendan Barber statement on the Royal Mail dispute
“We have had useful discussions today and the talks are being adjourned to allow further work to be done overnight on some of the issues involved.
“We will be reconvening again in the morning here at Congress House to continue the talks.
“In the meantime neither the CWU nor the Royal Mail will be making any further comment.”
Friday, 23 October 2009
Economy is still extremely fragile, says Midlands TUC
Commenting on growth figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) today (Friday) TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “This is now the longest recession in modern economic history. Even the co-ordinated world-wide stimulus has not been able to halt the damage done by the financial crash.
“Even if we had achieved a technical recovery today, it would not feel like a recovery to the thousands losing their jobs or afraid that they will join the dole queue in the months ahead when unemployment will continue rising. It takes more than a statistical read out and the return of big bank bonuses for a real recovery.
“These worse than expected figures should head off the growing signs of complacency. The economy is still extremely fragile. Any halt in economic stimulus – or even worse, cuts in spending in a premature effort to close the deficit – could easily send us into another downwards spiral.
“Politicians cannot now say that the recession is over so we can go back to treating the unemployed as work-shy scroungers rather than victims of the financial crash. Fighting unemployment – particularly among the young – must be national priority number one.”
“Even if we had achieved a technical recovery today, it would not feel like a recovery to the thousands losing their jobs or afraid that they will join the dole queue in the months ahead when unemployment will continue rising. It takes more than a statistical read out and the return of big bank bonuses for a real recovery.
“These worse than expected figures should head off the growing signs of complacency. The economy is still extremely fragile. Any halt in economic stimulus – or even worse, cuts in spending in a premature effort to close the deficit – could easily send us into another downwards spiral.
“Politicians cannot now say that the recession is over so we can go back to treating the unemployed as work-shy scroungers rather than victims of the financial crash. Fighting unemployment – particularly among the young – must be national priority number one.”
TUC General Council statement on Royal Mail
The TUC General Council today (Wednesday) affirmed its full support for the CWU and its members in their current dispute with Royal Mail.
The General Council expressed its strong concern at the Royal Mail’s recent decision to hire 30,000 temporary workers in the run up to Christmas, in an apparent move to undermine the union’s plans to take legitimate industrial action.The CWU has reiterated its determination to reach a fair settlement. The General Council is calling on Royal Mail to match this commitment, and to continue talks with the CWU, in an effort to reach an agreement on genuine modernisation which will underpin a successful and sustainable future for Royal Mail.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
West midlands worst hit as one in three unemployed young people out of work for more than six months
TUC analysis of official Government statistics released today (Tuesday) shows that more than one in three (39 per cent) unemployed young people aged 16-24 have now been out of work for more than six months. The last time so many young people were long-term unemployed was 15 years ago, in October 1994.
There are now 366,000 young people who have been unemployed for more than six months. With the latest jobless figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) out tomorrow (Wednesday), the TUC expects to see yet another sharp increase in youth unemployment.
Young people in the West Midlands have been hardest hit by the recession, with youth unemployment there increasing more than twice as fast as the UK average. The region has the highest youth unemployment rate at 26.7 per cent, followed by the North East (22.2 per cent) and Yorkshire and the Humber (21.2 per cent).
The TUC is warning that a failure to act to stem the flow of rising youth unemployment could leave a generation of young people on the scrap heap, as happened in the 1980s. The Government’s Future Jobs Fund for any young person who has been out of work for at least ten months is a good start, says the TUC. Funds for more than 50,000 jobs have already been awarded, with a large number of places created in areas of the UK currently experiencing high unemployment. Any attempt to cut this scheme or end the economic stimulus package would be a disaster for thousands of unemployed young people, the TUC believes.
However the Future Jobs Fund only has 100,000 places for young people. The TUC is concerned that the scheme will be oversubscribed meaning not all long-term unemployed youngsters will be able to take up a place. The TUC is also concerned there is not enough genuine support in place to help those who have only recently become unemployed, and that young people are at risk of exploitation through unpaid internships and work experience.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Youth unemployment was a concern for the TUC before the recession started, but over the last year the numbers unable to find work have rocketed. It’s clear that young people are among those bearing the brunt of the recession and rising unemployment. One in five of the UK’s young population is currently out of work, and more than 360,000 young people have already spent more than six months on the dole."
Ms Pidgeon continued, “This is a crisis for our young people. Prolonged periods of joblessness permanently damage careers and without continued Government investment we risk losing this generation, who are vital to our future labour market performance. The Future Jobs Fund is providing new jobs at decent wages for young people, and cutting it would be a disaster. But we also want to see real support for those who have only just lost their jobs. While internships can be a valuable means of providing young people with work experience, great care needs to be taken to ensure that they are not used to exploit young people or as a substitute for real jobs. It is important that interns receive their legal rights and are paid at least the minimum wage.”
There are now 366,000 young people who have been unemployed for more than six months. With the latest jobless figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) out tomorrow (Wednesday), the TUC expects to see yet another sharp increase in youth unemployment.
Young people in the West Midlands have been hardest hit by the recession, with youth unemployment there increasing more than twice as fast as the UK average. The region has the highest youth unemployment rate at 26.7 per cent, followed by the North East (22.2 per cent) and Yorkshire and the Humber (21.2 per cent).
The TUC is warning that a failure to act to stem the flow of rising youth unemployment could leave a generation of young people on the scrap heap, as happened in the 1980s. The Government’s Future Jobs Fund for any young person who has been out of work for at least ten months is a good start, says the TUC. Funds for more than 50,000 jobs have already been awarded, with a large number of places created in areas of the UK currently experiencing high unemployment. Any attempt to cut this scheme or end the economic stimulus package would be a disaster for thousands of unemployed young people, the TUC believes.
However the Future Jobs Fund only has 100,000 places for young people. The TUC is concerned that the scheme will be oversubscribed meaning not all long-term unemployed youngsters will be able to take up a place. The TUC is also concerned there is not enough genuine support in place to help those who have only recently become unemployed, and that young people are at risk of exploitation through unpaid internships and work experience.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon said: “Youth unemployment was a concern for the TUC before the recession started, but over the last year the numbers unable to find work have rocketed. It’s clear that young people are among those bearing the brunt of the recession and rising unemployment. One in five of the UK’s young population is currently out of work, and more than 360,000 young people have already spent more than six months on the dole."
Ms Pidgeon continued, “This is a crisis for our young people. Prolonged periods of joblessness permanently damage careers and without continued Government investment we risk losing this generation, who are vital to our future labour market performance. The Future Jobs Fund is providing new jobs at decent wages for young people, and cutting it would be a disaster. But we also want to see real support for those who have only just lost their jobs. While internships can be a valuable means of providing young people with work experience, great care needs to be taken to ensure that they are not used to exploit young people or as a substitute for real jobs. It is important that interns receive their legal rights and are paid at least the minimum wage.”
Friday, 9 October 2009
CWU vote to take strike action
The Communication Workers Union today (Thursday) can report a yes vote in the national ballot for strike action in Royal Mail. Postal workers voted by 76 per cent in favour in favour of strike action.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “This is a huge vote of no confidence in Royal Mail management. The company has tried to make out that problems only exist in some local offices, but postal workers across the UK have now spoken and they say no to Royal Mail’s arrogance.
“Royal Mail has never really been engaged in modernisation. They’ve been running down the business, running down services and cutting costs and it’s that business plan that postal workers have overwhelmingly rejected today.
“There’s still an opportunity to reach an agreement before any national strike action takes place.
“We need a national agreement which secures a fair deal on modernisation and reward for the efforts of postal workers in transforming the business. We want reassurances on job security, covering both redundancies and full-time part-time ratios.
“Crucial to an agreement is fair workloads with agreed standards of measurement. Constantly disciplining postal workers will not improve efficiencies but will drive an ever bigger wedge between workers and what they are told is modernisation.
“We’ve seen cuts and increased workloads and now we need an agreed roll-out of real modernisation. Aligning the interests of customers, employees and the company as a whole is a pre-requisite for the successful modernisation of Royal Mail.
“The Government must act now to resolve the pensions deficit which is crippling the Royal Mail’s finances and chances to modernise effectively.”
Notes to editors:
• 121,000 postal workers were sent ballot papers from 17th September 2009. The ballot closed on 8th October 2009.
• Postal workers outside of London start on £16,268
• The last national post strike was in 2007.
• Local strikes have been ongoing in places across the UK since the last week of June. Postal workers in London have now taken strike action every week for 15 weeks.
• The turnout was 67 per cent.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
New Regional Secretary visits Stagecoach Learning Bus
Cheryl Pidgeon, the recently appointed Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, has visited the new Learning Bus which has been developed in partnership between Unite the Union, the Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and Stagecoach. The bus, based in Chesterfield, will visit up to six depots across the north midlands delivering opportunities for learning to all staff employed by Stagecoach via the wireless computer training facilities.
Cheryl Pidgeon said, “Learning is a passion of mine and I am delighted to see this partnership between Unite, the RMT and Stagecoach come to fruition in such an innovative way. Continuing education is vital for people to reach their full potential – whether they are looking for job progression or to satisfy their craving for knowledge. I look forward to being invited back at future presentation events and wish this project and those who will benefit from it the very best of luck”.
The Learning Bus is supported by a group of Union Learning Representatives who help individuals access the new opportunities to study. “The Learning rep role is central to ensuring the success of the project,” said Ms Pidgeon, “the energy and enthusiasm they bring to their role will help keep their colleagues motivated so they get the best out of their studies.”
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
New Regional Secretary for Midlands TUC
Cheryl Pidgeon has been appointed as the new Regional Secretary for the Midlands TUC.
Cheryl joins the TUC from the GMB where she has worked since 1999, most recently as a Senior Organiser and Regional Political Officer where she managed industrial relations, increased GMB membership and improved services for members in the region.
Cheryl set up and managed the GMB Grantham office which won the Midlands TUC Project of the Year for Learning in 2005. Cheryl also ran the Reaching Out to New Communities Project working with the Learning and Skills Council, the TUC and community partners (including the NHS and the police) which won a National Award for Social Inclusion and Grantham New Year’s Honours Award for Service to the Community.
Prior to working for the GMB, Cheryl worked at the then Knitwear and Footwear Workers union (KFAT), Raleigh Industries Ltd and at the Ministry of Defence in Nottingham.
Commenting on her appointment Cheryl Pidgeon said: “I am looking forward to playing a full part in achieving the TUC’s aims of raising the quality of working life, campaigning for greater equality in society and within unions, boosting union organisation, strengthening global solidarity and increasing worker’s prospects through lifelong learning.
“As a senior union official who has lived and worked in the Midlands for almost all my life, I believe I have an in-depth understanding of the economic, social and political challenges facing the region. It’s a fantastic region with fantastic people and cultures.
“I would love to see more women taking up vital leadership roles within the world of work – especially within the union and Labour movements – to reflect the ever increasing number of women who are now joining unions.”
Cheryl lives in Derby with her husband Philip who works for the Department for Work and Pensions. She has a son, three daughters and a four-year-old granddaughter.
Cheryl was a single parent for 15 years and said: “I have a wealth of experience as a mum juggling work and family life, and I fully understand the stresses and strains of a benefits system that can lead to social exclusion and poverty, and make life difficult for single parents and their families.”
Cheryl set up and managed the GMB Grantham office which won the Midlands TUC Project of the Year for Learning in 2005. Cheryl also ran the Reaching Out to New Communities Project working with the Learning and Skills Council, the TUC and community partners (including the NHS and the police) which won a National Award for Social Inclusion and Grantham New Year’s Honours Award for Service to the Community.
Prior to working for the GMB, Cheryl worked at the then Knitwear and Footwear Workers union (KFAT), Raleigh Industries Ltd and at the Ministry of Defence in Nottingham.
Commenting on her appointment Cheryl Pidgeon said: “I am looking forward to playing a full part in achieving the TUC’s aims of raising the quality of working life, campaigning for greater equality in society and within unions, boosting union organisation, strengthening global solidarity and increasing worker’s prospects through lifelong learning.
“As a senior union official who has lived and worked in the Midlands for almost all my life, I believe I have an in-depth understanding of the economic, social and political challenges facing the region. It’s a fantastic region with fantastic people and cultures.
“I would love to see more women taking up vital leadership roles within the world of work – especially within the union and Labour movements – to reflect the ever increasing number of women who are now joining unions.”
Cheryl lives in Derby with her husband Philip who works for the Department for Work and Pensions. She has a son, three daughters and a four-year-old granddaughter.
Cheryl was a single parent for 15 years and said: “I have a wealth of experience as a mum juggling work and family life, and I fully understand the stresses and strains of a benefits system that can lead to social exclusion and poverty, and make life difficult for single parents and their families.”
Thursday, 18 June 2009
20 Foot Post Box tours the east and west midlands
A 20-foot post box and giant postcard will be visiting towns and cities in the East and West Midlands to highlight the government’s plans to sell off part of Royal Mail to a foreign competitor and we are inviting all MPs, MEPs and Councillors to attend together with the local press and media.
Postal workers will be leafleting and petitioning in town and city centres to galvanise the ever-increasing public support, which seeks to convince the PM Gordon Brown to abandon his ill-thought plans to part privatise the successful public service that is the Royal Mail.
This is part of a national tour from John O’Groats to Lands End which began back in May.
Lee Barron, CWU Midlands Regional Secretary is inviting everyone to attend and said, “We believe, as do the huge number of public that has turned out to support us, that such a move will risk fracturing one of Britain's greatest public services and put our universal (one price goes anywhere) service under direct threat.
“Any investor will only be interested in lining the pockets of their shareholders and not delivering a truly universal first-class service to the public. The CWU in the East and West Midlands are in no doubt that, it will also lead to further job losses and severe reduction in postal services within the region. We should be looking for ways to improve the service not wreck it. Royal Mail is one of the most efficient and cheapest postal services in Europe; they have just announced a doubling of their operating profit, while private mail companies, including TNT, have seen huge profit reductions.”
The Schedule
Monday 22nd June – 11.00am Stoke on Trent – Hanley Town Centre Market Square
Tuesday 23rd June – 11.30am Bilston, Church Street (constituency of Pat McFadden MP Minister responsible for the Royal Mail)
Wednesday 24th June – 11.00am Summer Lane in Birmingham and 12.30 Dresden Place in Coventry
Thursday 25th June – 10.30am Abington Street in Northampton and 2.00pm Clock Tower in Leicester
Friday 26th June – 10.30am Old Market Square in Nottingham
Saturday 27th June – 10.45am Spot Centre in Derby
Postal workers will be leafleting and petitioning in town and city centres to galvanise the ever-increasing public support, which seeks to convince the PM Gordon Brown to abandon his ill-thought plans to part privatise the successful public service that is the Royal Mail.
This is part of a national tour from John O’Groats to Lands End which began back in May.
Lee Barron, CWU Midlands Regional Secretary is inviting everyone to attend and said, “We believe, as do the huge number of public that has turned out to support us, that such a move will risk fracturing one of Britain's greatest public services and put our universal (one price goes anywhere) service under direct threat.
“Any investor will only be interested in lining the pockets of their shareholders and not delivering a truly universal first-class service to the public. The CWU in the East and West Midlands are in no doubt that, it will also lead to further job losses and severe reduction in postal services within the region. We should be looking for ways to improve the service not wreck it. Royal Mail is one of the most efficient and cheapest postal services in Europe; they have just announced a doubling of their operating profit, while private mail companies, including TNT, have seen huge profit reductions.”
The Schedule
Monday 22nd June – 11.00am Stoke on Trent – Hanley Town Centre Market Square
Tuesday 23rd June – 11.30am Bilston, Church Street (constituency of Pat McFadden MP Minister responsible for the Royal Mail)
Wednesday 24th June – 11.00am Summer Lane in Birmingham and 12.30 Dresden Place in Coventry
Thursday 25th June – 10.30am Abington Street in Northampton and 2.00pm Clock Tower in Leicester
Friday 26th June – 10.30am Old Market Square in Nottingham
Saturday 27th June – 10.45am Spot Centre in Derby
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Unemployment to keep rising until the end of next year, says TUC
Although some economists are saying that the end of the recession may be in sight, the TUC is today (Tuesday) warning that unemployment will carry on rising for many months even after the UK economy has begun to pick up.
Using official figures and comparing the current recession to the economic downturn of the early 1990s, the TUC is predicting that the number of people losing their jobs will carry on increasing until at least the autumn of next year.
There has always been a delay between the economy starting to grow and unemployment beginning to fall, as cautious employers make use of capacity among existing staff before recruiting new employees and want to be sure of recovery before expanding their businesses. In the last recession, GDP began to grow in the autumn of 1991, but it was 18 months later before unemployment started to fall.
But this recession is already proving to be much worse than the 1990s recession. The largest quarterly fall in GDP in the 1990s was 1.2 per cent, but the decline between the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 was 1.9 per cent.
The biggest fall over any four consecutive quarters in the 1990s was 2.2 per cent, yet GDP fell by 4.1 per cent between early 2008 and the first quarter of this year.
During the shallower 1990s recession, unemployment rose for 11 consecutive quarters – a period of just under three years. And unemployment rates did not return to their pre-recession levels for seven years. This time around unemployment has only been rising for five consecutive quarters, suggesting we may only be half way through unemployment rising, and some years before it falls to the level before the recession started.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “Some now say that we have a recovery, but even if this is not a false dawn, as others fear, it will be years before the thousands of people who have lost their jobs or who will lose them in months to come will see anything to celebrate.
“That’s why tackling unemployment must remain the Government’s number one priority. Speeding up the process of getting people back into work and into jobs with decent pay will not only benefit the two million people currently out of work, but will also give the economy the spending boost it needs.”
Using official figures and comparing the current recession to the economic downturn of the early 1990s, the TUC is predicting that the number of people losing their jobs will carry on increasing until at least the autumn of next year.
There has always been a delay between the economy starting to grow and unemployment beginning to fall, as cautious employers make use of capacity among existing staff before recruiting new employees and want to be sure of recovery before expanding their businesses. In the last recession, GDP began to grow in the autumn of 1991, but it was 18 months later before unemployment started to fall.
But this recession is already proving to be much worse than the 1990s recession. The largest quarterly fall in GDP in the 1990s was 1.2 per cent, but the decline between the last quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009 was 1.9 per cent.
The biggest fall over any four consecutive quarters in the 1990s was 2.2 per cent, yet GDP fell by 4.1 per cent between early 2008 and the first quarter of this year.
During the shallower 1990s recession, unemployment rose for 11 consecutive quarters – a period of just under three years. And unemployment rates did not return to their pre-recession levels for seven years. This time around unemployment has only been rising for five consecutive quarters, suggesting we may only be half way through unemployment rising, and some years before it falls to the level before the recession started.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “Some now say that we have a recovery, but even if this is not a false dawn, as others fear, it will be years before the thousands of people who have lost their jobs or who will lose them in months to come will see anything to celebrate.
“That’s why tackling unemployment must remain the Government’s number one priority. Speeding up the process of getting people back into work and into jobs with decent pay will not only benefit the two million people currently out of work, but will also give the economy the spending boost it needs.”
Monday, 15 June 2009
The 4th TUC Social Policy Forum
The Welfare Reform Bill is the most controversial social security legislation since 1997, and a possible indication of what the next round of welfare state reforms may look like, whichever Party wins the next general election. Reforms such as tougher benefit rules for parents and disabled people, a new ‘work for your benefits’ scheme and more contracting-out of Jobcentre Plus services have all raised the highest level of trade union concern about benefits policy for several years.
That is why the next TUC Social Policy Forum will be entirely devoted to the Welfare Reform Bill. TUC Social Policy Forums are unique in providing a channel for discussions of policy that also pay full attention to associated workplace and industrial issues, and the speakers therefore include experts from both unions and external organisations. The Forum will take place at Congress House at 10.30 on Friday 3 July. Places are free, and you can register using the attached form or online: visit http://www.tuc.org.uk/events/detail.cfm?event=3107
That is why the next TUC Social Policy Forum will be entirely devoted to the Welfare Reform Bill. TUC Social Policy Forums are unique in providing a channel for discussions of policy that also pay full attention to associated workplace and industrial issues, and the speakers therefore include experts from both unions and external organisations. The Forum will take place at Congress House at 10.30 on Friday 3 July. Places are free, and you can register using the attached form or online: visit http://www.tuc.org.uk/events/detail.cfm?event=3107
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Unite March for Jobs
Thousands of trade unionists from all over the country decended on Birmingham to march for jobs. During the current recession thousands of manufacturing, retail, finance and construction jobs have been lost. The rally at the end of the march was addressed by a number of senior trade union figures including Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary and the joint General Secretaries of Unite - Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Midlands TUC reaction to the 2009 Budget
Responding to the 2009 Budget today (Wednesday), Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “There is much to welcome in this Budget, particularly action on youth unemployment, some first steps in creating a fair tax system and better support for the unemployed.
“There is some help for construction and a Strategic Investment Fund provides real resources for Monday’s welcome industrial strategy. Pensioners will welcome the increase in capital disregards. This budget clearly acknowledges that the Government has a central role to play in turning the UK into a competitive low carbon economy.
“But it is does not bring the same boldness and vigour to getting the real economy right as the Government showed in dealing with the banking collapse. The biggest drain on the public finances will be continuing mass unemployment and we needed a bigger and better targeted stimulus to the economy today. A half per cent boost in public spending is not enough this year. Next year’s tightening is too much, too soon and is based on an optimistic assumption that the recovery will start this year.
“In particular cuts in public spending – and these are cuts, not efficiency savings – are absolutely wrong at a time when there is a collapse in demand in the private sector.
“So while we can welcome some significant changes in direction and good individual policies, this is still some way short of what was needed to maximise the fight against unemployment and ensure that we emerge from the recession as a fairer, greener and better balanced economy.”
“There is some help for construction and a Strategic Investment Fund provides real resources for Monday’s welcome industrial strategy. Pensioners will welcome the increase in capital disregards. This budget clearly acknowledges that the Government has a central role to play in turning the UK into a competitive low carbon economy.
“But it is does not bring the same boldness and vigour to getting the real economy right as the Government showed in dealing with the banking collapse. The biggest drain on the public finances will be continuing mass unemployment and we needed a bigger and better targeted stimulus to the economy today. A half per cent boost in public spending is not enough this year. Next year’s tightening is too much, too soon and is based on an optimistic assumption that the recovery will start this year.
“In particular cuts in public spending – and these are cuts, not efficiency savings – are absolutely wrong at a time when there is a collapse in demand in the private sector.
“So while we can welcome some significant changes in direction and good individual policies, this is still some way short of what was needed to maximise the fight against unemployment and ensure that we emerge from the recession as a fairer, greener and better balanced economy.”
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Nottingham should be one of the first to gain from new jobs scheme, says TUC
The TUC is calling on the Government to inject £2 billion into new work schemes for the long-term unemployed today (Tuesday), the day before the new unemployment figures are due out.
The TUC believes that £2 billion could create at least 100,000 new paid work experience jobs in areas of the UK suffering from high levels of unemployment, and that Nottingham should be one of the first places to gain from the scheme.
The new jobs would be targeted at those finding it particularly hard to find work during the recession, such as the long-term unemployed and young people. People on the work experience schemes would be supported by training opportunities, and given assistance with finding more permanent work and arranging childcare.
Under the TUC proposals, the jobs would last for up to a year and would be offered to those who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for more than six months. Participation in the scheme would be on a voluntary basis. The jobs would be created in areas of value to the community, such as childcare, sports, transport and energy-saving (such as home insulation) and workers would be paid at the going rate for the work.
The TUC believes the jobs could be run by a combination of local area partnerships, unions and Jobcentre Plus, and that costs involved in setting up the programme would more than offset the expense of supporting workers who go on to become unemployed for five or ten years.
The TUC has identified a number of towns – outside of London – with the most people who have been claiming JSA for more than six months. The TUC believes the first 50,000 jobs created through the paid work experience programme should be set up in these areas to get the scheme up and running quickly.
Birmingham (10,000 new jobs), Belfast (6,000 new jobs) and Liverpool (5,000 new jobs) should see the creation of the most new jobs under the TUC’s proposals. Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham (3,500 new jobs) and Cleveland would also be amongst the first towns to benefit from the programme.
The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark should be the first in the capital to roll out the scheme, says the TUC.
TUC Midlands Regional Policy and Campaigns Officer Alan Weaver said: ”In previous recessions well-qualified workers who have lost their jobs have tended to find work again quite quickly. However, younger workers and low-skilled employees who have been unemployed for a long time can find their already limited opportunities back into work squeezed even more during a recession.
“Properly defined new work schemes have proved successful in the past, and the
Government needs to do all it can to minimise the grim impact of the recession, and ensure that the UK is poised ready to make the most of opportunities for recovery.”
The TUC’s call for an intermediate labour programme is part of the TUC’s 2009 Budget submission. The full submission is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/extras/2009budgetsubmission.pdf
The TUC believes that £2 billion could create at least 100,000 new paid work experience jobs in areas of the UK suffering from high levels of unemployment, and that Nottingham should be one of the first places to gain from the scheme.
The new jobs would be targeted at those finding it particularly hard to find work during the recession, such as the long-term unemployed and young people. People on the work experience schemes would be supported by training opportunities, and given assistance with finding more permanent work and arranging childcare.
Under the TUC proposals, the jobs would last for up to a year and would be offered to those who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for more than six months. Participation in the scheme would be on a voluntary basis. The jobs would be created in areas of value to the community, such as childcare, sports, transport and energy-saving (such as home insulation) and workers would be paid at the going rate for the work.
The TUC believes the jobs could be run by a combination of local area partnerships, unions and Jobcentre Plus, and that costs involved in setting up the programme would more than offset the expense of supporting workers who go on to become unemployed for five or ten years.
The TUC has identified a number of towns – outside of London – with the most people who have been claiming JSA for more than six months. The TUC believes the first 50,000 jobs created through the paid work experience programme should be set up in these areas to get the scheme up and running quickly.
Birmingham (10,000 new jobs), Belfast (6,000 new jobs) and Liverpool (5,000 new jobs) should see the creation of the most new jobs under the TUC’s proposals. Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham (3,500 new jobs) and Cleveland would also be amongst the first towns to benefit from the programme.
The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark should be the first in the capital to roll out the scheme, says the TUC.
TUC Midlands Regional Policy and Campaigns Officer Alan Weaver said: ”In previous recessions well-qualified workers who have lost their jobs have tended to find work again quite quickly. However, younger workers and low-skilled employees who have been unemployed for a long time can find their already limited opportunities back into work squeezed even more during a recession.
“Properly defined new work schemes have proved successful in the past, and the
Government needs to do all it can to minimise the grim impact of the recession, and ensure that the UK is poised ready to make the most of opportunities for recovery.”
The TUC’s call for an intermediate labour programme is part of the TUC’s 2009 Budget submission. The full submission is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/extras/2009budgetsubmission.pdf
Birmingham should be first to gain from new jobs scheme, says TUC
The TUC is calling on the Government to inject £2 billion into new work schemes for the long-term unemployed today (Tuesday), the day before the new unemployment figures are due out.
The TUC believes that £2 billion could create at least 100,000 new paid work experience jobs in areas of the UK suffering from high levels of unemployment, and that Birmingham should be one of the first places to gain from the scheme.
The new jobs would be targeted at those finding it particularly hard to find work during the recession, such as the long-term unemployed and young people. People on the work experience schemes would be supported by training opportunities, and given assistance with finding more permanent work and arranging childcare.
Under the TUC proposals, the jobs would last for up to a year and would be offered to those who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for more than six months. Participation in the scheme would be on a voluntary basis. The jobs would be created in areas of value to the community, such as childcare, sports, transport and energy-saving (such as home insulation) and workers would be paid at the going rate for the work.
The TUC believes the jobs could be run by a combination of local area partnerships, unions and Jobcentre Plus, and that costs involved in setting up the programme would more than offset the expense of supporting workers who go on to become unemployed for five or ten years.
The TUC has identified a number of towns – outside of London – with the most people who have been claiming JSA for more than six months. The TUC believes the first 50,000 jobs created through the paid work experience programme should be set up in these areas to get the scheme up and running quickly.
Birmingham (10,000 new jobs), Belfast (6,000 new jobs) and Liverpool (5,000 new jobs) should see the creation of the most new jobs under the TUC’s proposals. Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham and Cleveland would also be amongst the first towns to benefit from the programme.
The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark should be the first in the capital to roll out the scheme, says the TUC.
TUC Midlands Regional Policy and Campaigns Officer Alan Weaver said: ”In previous recessions well-qualified workers who have lost their jobs have tended to find work again quite quickly. However, younger workers and low-skilled employees who have been unemployed for a long time can find their already limited opportunities back into work squeezed even more during a recession.
“Properly defined new work schemes have proved successful in the past, and the
Government needs to do all it can to minimise the grim impact of the recession, and ensure that the UK is poised ready to make the most of opportunities for recovery.”
The TUC’s call for an intermediate labour programme is part of the TUC’s 2009 Budget submission. The full submission is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/extras/2009budgetsubmission.pdf
The TUC believes that £2 billion could create at least 100,000 new paid work experience jobs in areas of the UK suffering from high levels of unemployment, and that Birmingham should be one of the first places to gain from the scheme.
The new jobs would be targeted at those finding it particularly hard to find work during the recession, such as the long-term unemployed and young people. People on the work experience schemes would be supported by training opportunities, and given assistance with finding more permanent work and arranging childcare.
Under the TUC proposals, the jobs would last for up to a year and would be offered to those who have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) for more than six months. Participation in the scheme would be on a voluntary basis. The jobs would be created in areas of value to the community, such as childcare, sports, transport and energy-saving (such as home insulation) and workers would be paid at the going rate for the work.
The TUC believes the jobs could be run by a combination of local area partnerships, unions and Jobcentre Plus, and that costs involved in setting up the programme would more than offset the expense of supporting workers who go on to become unemployed for five or ten years.
The TUC has identified a number of towns – outside of London – with the most people who have been claiming JSA for more than six months. The TUC believes the first 50,000 jobs created through the paid work experience programme should be set up in these areas to get the scheme up and running quickly.
Birmingham (10,000 new jobs), Belfast (6,000 new jobs) and Liverpool (5,000 new jobs) should see the creation of the most new jobs under the TUC’s proposals. Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham and Cleveland would also be amongst the first towns to benefit from the programme.
The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Newham, Haringey, Lambeth and Southwark should be the first in the capital to roll out the scheme, says the TUC.
TUC Midlands Regional Policy and Campaigns Officer Alan Weaver said: ”In previous recessions well-qualified workers who have lost their jobs have tended to find work again quite quickly. However, younger workers and low-skilled employees who have been unemployed for a long time can find their already limited opportunities back into work squeezed even more during a recession.
“Properly defined new work schemes have proved successful in the past, and the
Government needs to do all it can to minimise the grim impact of the recession, and ensure that the UK is poised ready to make the most of opportunities for recovery.”
The TUC’s call for an intermediate labour programme is part of the TUC’s 2009 Budget submission. The full submission is available at: www.tuc.org.uk/extras/2009budgetsubmission.pdf
Monday, 6 April 2009
Extending right to request flexible working is ‘good news for employers’
Commenting on new Government legislation which comes into force today (Monday), including extending the right to request flexible working and increasing paid holiday entitlement, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“This is extremely welcome news. Extending the right to request flexible working to parents of children up to the age of 16 can only be good news for employers.
“Companies whose workers enjoy the benefits of flexible working are likely to feel less stressed and less anxious about balancing their lives at home and work, which means they are more committed and productive while at work.
“I hope all employers who receive flexibility requests consider them seriously and do all they can to make flexible working a reality.
“The TUC is also pleased to see the increase in the minimum legal entitlement to paid holiday from 4.8 to 5.6 weeks per year. This is an increase of 24 to 28 days for a full-time worker on a five day week, with pro-rata increases for part-timers.
“We estimate that this will benefit two million employees, many of whom will be low-paid women, working part-time here in the midlands.
“At the other end of the scale, this extra holiday entitlement will help to address our long hours working culture, which is stopping many people from enjoying a proper work/life balance.”
“This is extremely welcome news. Extending the right to request flexible working to parents of children up to the age of 16 can only be good news for employers.
“Companies whose workers enjoy the benefits of flexible working are likely to feel less stressed and less anxious about balancing their lives at home and work, which means they are more committed and productive while at work.
“I hope all employers who receive flexibility requests consider them seriously and do all they can to make flexible working a reality.
“The TUC is also pleased to see the increase in the minimum legal entitlement to paid holiday from 4.8 to 5.6 weeks per year. This is an increase of 24 to 28 days for a full-time worker on a five day week, with pro-rata increases for part-timers.
“We estimate that this will benefit two million employees, many of whom will be low-paid women, working part-time here in the midlands.
“At the other end of the scale, this extra holiday entitlement will help to address our long hours working culture, which is stopping many people from enjoying a proper work/life balance.”
Wednesday, 1 April 2009
New register will put bad employers in the spotlight, says TUC
Welcoming the Government’s announcement today (Wednesday) of a register to name people or employers who fail to pay employment tribunal awards, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“This register will help put bad employers in the spotlight by naming and shaming those who fail to pay up when they lose employment tribunals.
“But action against bad employers shouldn’t stop here, and the Government must put systems in place to ensure that everyone who wins an employment tribunal award actually receives it.
“Too many people are still hit by the double whammy of employers acting illegally and then refusing to pay when they are caught.”
“This register will help put bad employers in the spotlight by naming and shaming those who fail to pay up when they lose employment tribunals.
“But action against bad employers shouldn’t stop here, and the Government must put systems in place to ensure that everyone who wins an employment tribunal award actually receives it.
“Too many people are still hit by the double whammy of employers acting illegally and then refusing to pay when they are caught.”
Tenth anniversary of the minimum wage proves critics wrong
Critics of the national minimum wage (NMW) who warned its introduction would destroy jobs have been proved wrong says the TUC, as the minimum wage celebrates its tenth anniversary today (Wednesday).
When the Government introduced the NMW in 1999 the business lobby warned that it would be a disaster and that thousands of jobs would be lost. However, before the current recession hit home, employment had grown by about two million jobs in the period since the introduction of the NMW, says the TUC.
The adult minimum wage was originally set at £3.60 per hour. The current figure is £5.73, which is an increase of almost 60 per cent in less than a decade. Over the same period the Retail Price Index (RPI) has risen by 33 per cent and average earnings 35 per cent, so the NMW has delivered a real increase in the spending power and living standards of the low paid in the Midlands.
Each time the minimum wage has been increased, it has led to more than a million vulnerable workers getting a pay rise. Women workers, workers from ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities, and younger and older workers are among the groups who have benefitted most in the midlands, says the TUC.
The minimum wage has also had a positive impact on closing the gender pay gap. The NMW benefits five per cent of employees, and the gender pay gap for this group of workers has narrowed from 10.5 per cent in 1998 to 3.8 per cent in 2007. The gender pay gap for all employers is currently 17.1 per cent.
However the TUC believes there is still more to do. The TUC wants to see the NMW adult rate paid to 18 year olds – it is currently only paid from the age of 22 – and the exemption from the NMW for apprentices to be replaced with a special rate in order to protect vulnerable young people.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “The minimum wage is one of this Government’s greatest successes.
“It is an integral part of building a fairer Britain, and its success has shown that despite scare-mongering from business, the midlands economy can easily cope with sensible labour market regulation. Indeed, our current economic woes seem to be caused by too little regulation rather than too much.
“If we want to build a strong UK economy that is fair to all its citizens then we must continue to develop the minimum wage during the coming decade.
“Employers are wrong to call for a minimum wage freeze this year. Raising the minimum wage has already helped hundreds of thousands of families without causing significant job losses.
“The recession was caused by very highly paid people damaging the nation’s financial system. It would not be fair to make the low paid suffer a wage freeze while city bankers still get bonuses, and when there is no economic necessity to do so.”
When the Government introduced the NMW in 1999 the business lobby warned that it would be a disaster and that thousands of jobs would be lost. However, before the current recession hit home, employment had grown by about two million jobs in the period since the introduction of the NMW, says the TUC.
The adult minimum wage was originally set at £3.60 per hour. The current figure is £5.73, which is an increase of almost 60 per cent in less than a decade. Over the same period the Retail Price Index (RPI) has risen by 33 per cent and average earnings 35 per cent, so the NMW has delivered a real increase in the spending power and living standards of the low paid in the Midlands.
Each time the minimum wage has been increased, it has led to more than a million vulnerable workers getting a pay rise. Women workers, workers from ethnic minority backgrounds, those with disabilities, and younger and older workers are among the groups who have benefitted most in the midlands, says the TUC.
The minimum wage has also had a positive impact on closing the gender pay gap. The NMW benefits five per cent of employees, and the gender pay gap for this group of workers has narrowed from 10.5 per cent in 1998 to 3.8 per cent in 2007. The gender pay gap for all employers is currently 17.1 per cent.
However the TUC believes there is still more to do. The TUC wants to see the NMW adult rate paid to 18 year olds – it is currently only paid from the age of 22 – and the exemption from the NMW for apprentices to be replaced with a special rate in order to protect vulnerable young people.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “The minimum wage is one of this Government’s greatest successes.
“It is an integral part of building a fairer Britain, and its success has shown that despite scare-mongering from business, the midlands economy can easily cope with sensible labour market regulation. Indeed, our current economic woes seem to be caused by too little regulation rather than too much.
“If we want to build a strong UK economy that is fair to all its citizens then we must continue to develop the minimum wage during the coming decade.
“Employers are wrong to call for a minimum wage freeze this year. Raising the minimum wage has already helped hundreds of thousands of families without causing significant job losses.
“The recession was caused by very highly paid people damaging the nation’s financial system. It would not be fair to make the low paid suffer a wage freeze while city bankers still get bonuses, and when there is no economic necessity to do so.”
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Burma Campaign launches petition to free Political Prisoners
This month a global signature campaign has been launched demanding the release all of Burma's political prisoners. The campaign is being led by former political prisoners from Burma and over 160 Burma exile and solidarity groups in 24 countries are taking part.
The campaign aims to collect 888,888 signatures before 24 May 2009, the legal date that Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest.
The petition calls on the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma, as the essential first step towards democracy in the country.
We need your help to reach our target. Please sign the petition now:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm
Please also ask your friends and networks to take action.
Attached is a petition form you can use to collect signatures at meetings and conferences.
The target of 888,888 signatures symbolises 8.8.88, the day the junta massacred some 3,000 people who courageously protested in Burma¹s largest democracy uprising.
There are over 2,100 political prisoners in Burma. They have committed no crime. They have been imprisoned for peacefully calling for democracy and freedom in Burma. In prison, democracy activists face horrific torture, including electric shocks, rape, iron rods rubbed on their shins until the flesh rubs off, severe beatings and solitary confinement. Many prisoners are kept in their cells 24 hours a day, given inadequate food and are in poor health. However, the regime appears to be systematically denying medical treatment to political prisoners.
Labour activists are among those targeted and imprisoned by the regime.
Activists like Zaw Htay, who was jailed for 10 years in January for helping farmers file a report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on land seized by the army.
Prominent labour rights activist Su Su Nway was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison for participating in the 2007 democracy uprising. We have just heard that her health is deteriorating and she has been admitted to hospital.
These brave men and women are at the forefront of the fight for freedom and democracy in Burma. They need your help.
Sign the petition now: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm
The campaign aims to collect 888,888 signatures before 24 May 2009, the legal date that Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest.
The petition calls on the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma, as the essential first step towards democracy in the country.
We need your help to reach our target. Please sign the petition now:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm
Please also ask your friends and networks to take action.
Attached is a petition form you can use to collect signatures at meetings and conferences.
The target of 888,888 signatures symbolises 8.8.88, the day the junta massacred some 3,000 people who courageously protested in Burma¹s largest democracy uprising.
There are over 2,100 political prisoners in Burma. They have committed no crime. They have been imprisoned for peacefully calling for democracy and freedom in Burma. In prison, democracy activists face horrific torture, including electric shocks, rape, iron rods rubbed on their shins until the flesh rubs off, severe beatings and solitary confinement. Many prisoners are kept in their cells 24 hours a day, given inadequate food and are in poor health. However, the regime appears to be systematically denying medical treatment to political prisoners.
Labour activists are among those targeted and imprisoned by the regime.
Activists like Zaw Htay, who was jailed for 10 years in January for helping farmers file a report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on land seized by the army.
Prominent labour rights activist Su Su Nway was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison for participating in the 2007 democracy uprising. We have just heard that her health is deteriorating and she has been admitted to hospital.
These brave men and women are at the forefront of the fight for freedom and democracy in Burma. They need your help.
Sign the petition now: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm
Ballot Over Tamorth Academy Plans
The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, is balloting members at Woodhouse Business & Enterprise College in Tamworth for industrial action over proposals to turn the school into an academy.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “In addition to concerns about the academy proposal, the NASUWT has serious concerns about the track record of Landau Forte, the proposed sponsor for this school. Evidence shows they are hostile to trade unions, fail to apply national pay and conditions standards and appear impervious to concerns about conditions of service.
“Given this history, the plan to concentrate all sixth-form provision at the academy is deeply worrying. Parental choice will be limited and the local authority will lose direct control of this important service.
“Public services must remain in public hands and not be hived off to private companies who are free to determine teacher’s pay and conditions.
"This ballot for action is a principled and important stand to protect a state school from being handed over to an external organisation and to protect and defend teachers' national pay and conditions of service and the right to union recognition.”
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said: “In addition to concerns about the academy proposal, the NASUWT has serious concerns about the track record of Landau Forte, the proposed sponsor for this school. Evidence shows they are hostile to trade unions, fail to apply national pay and conditions standards and appear impervious to concerns about conditions of service.
“Given this history, the plan to concentrate all sixth-form provision at the academy is deeply worrying. Parental choice will be limited and the local authority will lose direct control of this important service.
“Public services must remain in public hands and not be hived off to private companies who are free to determine teacher’s pay and conditions.
"This ballot for action is a principled and important stand to protect a state school from being handed over to an external organisation and to protect and defend teachers' national pay and conditions of service and the right to union recognition.”
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
Unemployment is another grim milestone, while earnings hold up in real economy
Commenting on the earnings and unemployment figures published today (Wednesday) Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“This is another grim milestone in the return of mass unemployment to the UK. And it will get worse before it gets better as unemployment always persists even after a recovery starts.
“But this unemployment has not just been made in Britain, and requires an international response. It is beginning to look like the G20 summit may not agree the co-ordinated boost to the world economy called for by Barack Obama and Gordon Brown.
International summits may seem a long way from the dole queues, but without such a stimulus unemployment will go higher and last longer. We need to put every pressure on world leaders to work together to fight the recession.”
TUC research showing that the unemployed outnumber vacancies by 20 to 1 is available at http://www.tuc.org.uk/welfare/tuc-16119-f0.cfm
Earnings hold up in real economy
Roger McKenzie continued:
"Today's record low earnings figures are not what they seem. The big fall is almost entirely explained by the collapse in city bonuses since last year. In the real economy earnings are still on average increasing by 3.5 per cent. This distortion shows just how ridiculous bonuses were last year, even when we were on the road to recession.
"It is entirely understandable that workers in companies under threat in the recession are settling for modest pay increases or even freezes. But it would be extremely bad news for the rest of the economy if wages didn't continue to rise. A general wage freeze would simply encourage consumers to spend less, and many companies can well afford to pay a reasonable increase."
“This is another grim milestone in the return of mass unemployment to the UK. And it will get worse before it gets better as unemployment always persists even after a recovery starts.
“But this unemployment has not just been made in Britain, and requires an international response. It is beginning to look like the G20 summit may not agree the co-ordinated boost to the world economy called for by Barack Obama and Gordon Brown.
International summits may seem a long way from the dole queues, but without such a stimulus unemployment will go higher and last longer. We need to put every pressure on world leaders to work together to fight the recession.”
TUC research showing that the unemployed outnumber vacancies by 20 to 1 is available at http://www.tuc.org.uk/welfare/tuc-16119-f0.cfm
Earnings hold up in real economy
Roger McKenzie continued:
"Today's record low earnings figures are not what they seem. The big fall is almost entirely explained by the collapse in city bonuses since last year. In the real economy earnings are still on average increasing by 3.5 per cent. This distortion shows just how ridiculous bonuses were last year, even when we were on the road to recession.
"It is entirely understandable that workers in companies under threat in the recession are settling for modest pay increases or even freezes. But it would be extremely bad news for the rest of the economy if wages didn't continue to rise. A general wage freeze would simply encourage consumers to spend less, and many companies can well afford to pay a reasonable increase."
Friday, 13 March 2009
Communication Workers Union National March and Rally
The CWU are holding a national march and rally in Bilston, Wolverhampton, to press their case to Keep the Post Public. Click on the title to get further details of times and speakers.
Put People First
On 28th March thousands will march in London as part of the global campaign to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2nd April summit on the global financial crisis. Click on the link for information about the campaign and what you can do to get involved.
Thursday, 5 March 2009
Midlands TUC on March interest rates
Commenting on the Bank of England’s decision today (Thursday) to cut interest rates by 0.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent, TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“Today’s rate cut and the start of quantitative easing are both welcome, but can only be part of the response we need to counter the recession.
“There are now diminishing returns from rate cuts. Quantitative easing will only work if it injects cash into the economy – it must not disappear into bank balance sheets like so much of the money spent so far on bailing out the banks.
“But it is Government, not the Bank, that must take the lead in fighting the recession. When the private sector stops spending, the public sector must fill the gap with the kind of state-led stimulus and investment that is taking place in the US. This will ensure a fairer and greener economy when we emerge from recession.
“Government must do what it can to speed up implementation of the many worthwhile initiatives it has announced. But many now attacking ministers for delays are those who have spent the last two decades saying that the state should stop regulating, intervening or investing. It is perhaps not surprising if Government now lacks capacity.”
“Today’s rate cut and the start of quantitative easing are both welcome, but can only be part of the response we need to counter the recession.
“There are now diminishing returns from rate cuts. Quantitative easing will only work if it injects cash into the economy – it must not disappear into bank balance sheets like so much of the money spent so far on bailing out the banks.
“But it is Government, not the Bank, that must take the lead in fighting the recession. When the private sector stops spending, the public sector must fill the gap with the kind of state-led stimulus and investment that is taking place in the US. This will ensure a fairer and greener economy when we emerge from recession.
“Government must do what it can to speed up implementation of the many worthwhile initiatives it has announced. But many now attacking ministers for delays are those who have spent the last two decades saying that the state should stop regulating, intervening or investing. It is perhaps not surprising if Government now lacks capacity.”
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Rising unemployment is a national emergency
Responding to the latest unemployment figures announced today (Wednesday), TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“This is another set of dreadful figures, and we fear worse is still to come. The number of unemployed people in the West Midlands is up by 20% betweenOctober and December, with the jobless total in the region now at 204,000, up from 170,000.”
“The Government must act as boldly on unemployment as they are on the banking sector. In these tough times, people need to know the Government is on their side.
“Benefits and redundancy pay need to be raised to cushion the financial blow to the newly unemployed. The Government needs urgently to introduce a short time working subsidy to help companies avoid redundancies in the first place.”
“This is another set of dreadful figures, and we fear worse is still to come. The number of unemployed people in the West Midlands is up by 20% betweenOctober and December, with the jobless total in the region now at 204,000, up from 170,000.”
“The Government must act as boldly on unemployment as they are on the banking sector. In these tough times, people need to know the Government is on their side.
“Benefits and redundancy pay need to be raised to cushion the financial blow to the newly unemployed. The Government needs urgently to introduce a short time working subsidy to help companies avoid redundancies in the first place.”
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Midlands TUC on February interest rates decision
Commenting on the Bank of England’s decision today (Thursday) to cut interest rates to one per cent, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“This was the correct decision and the one the markets expected. The priority now must be to get the high street banks to pass on this cut without delay to businesses and homeowners. Failure to do so will end up prolonging the economic downturn.”
“This was the correct decision and the one the markets expected. The priority now must be to get the high street banks to pass on this cut without delay to businesses and homeowners. Failure to do so will end up prolonging the economic downturn.”
Friday, 30 January 2009
TUC calls for at least £500 a week statutory redundancy pay
The TUC today (Friday) welcomed the increase in the amount of an employees’ weekly earnings which counts towards statutory redundancy pay from £330 to £350, which takes effect this Sunday (1 February).
Although the £20 increase will be welcome to the thousands of people who find themselves joining the dole queue each week, the £350 is still far lower in real terms than the original value of statutory redundancy pay when it was introduced in 1965. The TUC would like to see the weekly limit increase to at least £500 to provide a financial cushion for the newly unemployed.
Official statistics show that 46.2 per cent of UK employees earn more than £350 a week, so a significant amount of the workforce will still be losing out with a statutory limit of £350 for redundancy pay.
To ensure that workers are properly compensated when they lose their jobs, the TUC believes the Chancellor should increase the weekly limit on statutory redundancy pay to at least £500, to help restore the real value of the limit.
The current weekly rate severely limits the amount of redundancy pay available as the calculation, which is based on pay and length of service, ignores any weekly pay above £350.
To further assist those who have been made redundant, the TUC believes the amount that people receive in redundancy pay before they have to pay tax – frozen at £30,000 since 1989 – should now be increased to £50,000. This would have been the current level had the tax threshold increased in line with inflation.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “With unemployment soon due to exceed two million, more than 1,500 people a week are losing their jobs. Many will be facing redundancy and unemployment for the first time in their lives.
“There can be no assumption that the people who are losing their jobs will find it easy to get new ones, and they will need all the help they can get with redundancy pay, retraining and personal advice.
“They will also need resources to pay their housing and food bills.
“Many decent employers, especially those that recognise unions, already offer their staff more generous redundancy payments than the statutory limit. The statutory limit should be raised to reflect more closely the real cost to the individual of losing their job.
“Ministers must increase minimum redundancy pay to at least £500 a week and let people take up to £50,000 of their redundancy pay tax free.”
The TUC recently launched a package of support for workers who have been made redundant, or are at risk of redundancy or of losing their homes due to the economic downturn.
The package includes two new free booklets – Coping with the Economic Downturn and Facing Redundancy – as well as updated information about redundancies, how to use JobCentre Plus, how to look for a new job, and what training and benefits individuals are entitled to on www.worksmart.org.uk, the TUC’s website for people at work. The website not only has downloads of both leaflets, but also contains questions and answers on all aspects of redundancy.
Although the £20 increase will be welcome to the thousands of people who find themselves joining the dole queue each week, the £350 is still far lower in real terms than the original value of statutory redundancy pay when it was introduced in 1965. The TUC would like to see the weekly limit increase to at least £500 to provide a financial cushion for the newly unemployed.
Official statistics show that 46.2 per cent of UK employees earn more than £350 a week, so a significant amount of the workforce will still be losing out with a statutory limit of £350 for redundancy pay.
To ensure that workers are properly compensated when they lose their jobs, the TUC believes the Chancellor should increase the weekly limit on statutory redundancy pay to at least £500, to help restore the real value of the limit.
The current weekly rate severely limits the amount of redundancy pay available as the calculation, which is based on pay and length of service, ignores any weekly pay above £350.
To further assist those who have been made redundant, the TUC believes the amount that people receive in redundancy pay before they have to pay tax – frozen at £30,000 since 1989 – should now be increased to £50,000. This would have been the current level had the tax threshold increased in line with inflation.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “With unemployment soon due to exceed two million, more than 1,500 people a week are losing their jobs. Many will be facing redundancy and unemployment for the first time in their lives.
“There can be no assumption that the people who are losing their jobs will find it easy to get new ones, and they will need all the help they can get with redundancy pay, retraining and personal advice.
“They will also need resources to pay their housing and food bills.
“Many decent employers, especially those that recognise unions, already offer their staff more generous redundancy payments than the statutory limit. The statutory limit should be raised to reflect more closely the real cost to the individual of losing their job.
“Ministers must increase minimum redundancy pay to at least £500 a week and let people take up to £50,000 of their redundancy pay tax free.”
The TUC recently launched a package of support for workers who have been made redundant, or are at risk of redundancy or of losing their homes due to the economic downturn.
The package includes two new free booklets – Coping with the Economic Downturn and Facing Redundancy – as well as updated information about redundancies, how to use JobCentre Plus, how to look for a new job, and what training and benefits individuals are entitled to on www.worksmart.org.uk, the TUC’s website for people at work. The website not only has downloads of both leaflets, but also contains questions and answers on all aspects of redundancy.
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Midlands TUC welcomes auto-industry support, but package cannot be "last word"
Responding to Lord Mandelson's statement Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
"There is much to welcome in Lord Mandelson's announcement today. He has accepted the case for support and has rightly put emphasis on training and securing a low-carbon future for the automotive sector. This is exactly the kind of sensible government intervention in industrial policy that the TUC has long advocated. But employees in the sector will be worried that not enough is being done to keep them in work during the recession ready for the recovery. This should not be the last word."
"There is much to welcome in Lord Mandelson's announcement today. He has accepted the case for support and has rightly put emphasis on training and securing a low-carbon future for the automotive sector. This is exactly the kind of sensible government intervention in industrial policy that the TUC has long advocated. But employees in the sector will be worried that not enough is being done to keep them in work during the recession ready for the recovery. This should not be the last word."
Sunday, 25 January 2009
TUC calls for end to discrimination and hatred on Holocaust Memorial Day
The TUC is calling for an end to discrimination and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT) at the Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) national commemoration event in Coventry today (Sunday).
HMD itself is on Tuesday (27 January), on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where 1.6 million men, women and children were killed in the Nazi holocaust.
HMD aims to prevent the holocaust being forgotten or repeated, and serves to remind people of the crimes and racism of both the holocaust and of more recent genocides across the world.
Alongside the six million Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, hundreds of thousands of others were targeted by Hitler’s regime – including union members and LGBT people.
The TUC LGBT committee is attending the event in Coventry, and is urging LGBT people to support HMD events taking place around the country on Tuesday.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “Unions have always stood up to the kind of discrimination, prejudice and hatred that led to the Nazi holocaust.
“LGBT people were among the millions of victims of Hitler’s brutal regime, and today LGBT communities are a vital part of the resistance to modern versions of this hatred. I am proud that LGBT union members are taking part in the event.”
The event will see local people stand side by side with national leaders and survivors of genocide and conflict as well as international survivors of Nazi persecution, and will include survivor testimonies, poetry, drama and time for reflection.
HMD itself is on Tuesday (27 January), on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, where 1.6 million men, women and children were killed in the Nazi holocaust.
HMD aims to prevent the holocaust being forgotten or repeated, and serves to remind people of the crimes and racism of both the holocaust and of more recent genocides across the world.
Alongside the six million Jewish victims of Nazi persecution, hundreds of thousands of others were targeted by Hitler’s regime – including union members and LGBT people.
The TUC LGBT committee is attending the event in Coventry, and is urging LGBT people to support HMD events taking place around the country on Tuesday.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “Unions have always stood up to the kind of discrimination, prejudice and hatred that led to the Nazi holocaust.
“LGBT people were among the millions of victims of Hitler’s brutal regime, and today LGBT communities are a vital part of the resistance to modern versions of this hatred. I am proud that LGBT union members are taking part in the event.”
The event will see local people stand side by side with national leaders and survivors of genocide and conflict as well as international survivors of Nazi persecution, and will include survivor testimonies, poetry, drama and time for reflection.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Midlands TUC welcomes government drive on minimum wage in Birmingham
The Midlands TUC has welcomed a government initiative to raise awareness of the National Minimum Wage in Birmingham. The visit will take place on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd January when a team of National Minimum Wage Ambassadors will set out their stall in Edgbaston Street, between the Bull Ring and the Rag Market.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Birmingham. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshow will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Birmingham. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshow will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Midlands TUC welcomes government drive on minimum wage in Nottingham
The Midlands TUC has welcomed a government initiative to raise awareness of the National Minimum Wage in Nottingham. The visit will take place on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd January when a team of National Minimum Wage Ambassadors will set out their stall in the Old Market Square.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Nottingham. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshow will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Nottingham. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshow will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Midlands TUC on the latest unemployment figures
Commenting on the official figures published today (Wednesday) which show that unemployment increased to 1.92 million between September and November last year, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“There is no disguising how bad today’s employment figures are. Compared with last month’s figures unemployment is up, employment is down, the number of redundancies is up and the number of job vacancies is down.
“And compared with a year ago the picture is even worse – the unemployment rate is higher for both men and women, for every age group and for every part of the UK except Northern Ireland.
“More importantly these figures stop at November 2008 and do not take into account the redundancies announced over the past eight weeks at companies like Woolworths, Santander, Barclays, Denby, Land Rover, JCB, Burberry, Zavvi, Grattan and Empire Direct. Many of these companies have shed jobs in the Midlands.
“Unfortunately, it seems certain that unemployment will continue to rise for at least the first six months of 2009, with a very strong chance it will pass the 2.5 million mark by June.”
“There is no disguising how bad today’s employment figures are. Compared with last month’s figures unemployment is up, employment is down, the number of redundancies is up and the number of job vacancies is down.
“And compared with a year ago the picture is even worse – the unemployment rate is higher for both men and women, for every age group and for every part of the UK except Northern Ireland.
“More importantly these figures stop at November 2008 and do not take into account the redundancies announced over the past eight weeks at companies like Woolworths, Santander, Barclays, Denby, Land Rover, JCB, Burberry, Zavvi, Grattan and Empire Direct. Many of these companies have shed jobs in the Midlands.
“Unfortunately, it seems certain that unemployment will continue to rise for at least the first six months of 2009, with a very strong chance it will pass the 2.5 million mark by June.”
Midlands TUC welcomes government drive on minimum wage in Coventry
The Midlands TUC has welcomed a government initiative to raise awareness of the National Minimum Wage in Coventry. The visit will take place on Wednesday 21st January when a team of National Minimum Wage Ambassadors will set out their stall by the Godiva Statue on Bank Street.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Coventry. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshows will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Coventry. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshows will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Midlands TUC welcomes first interest rate decision of 2009
Commenting on the Bank of England’s decision today (Thursday) to cut interest rates by 0.5 percentage points to 1.5 per cent, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“Though not unexpected, this is a welcome move. Banks and building societies must now pass this cut on to business and mortgage borrowers.
“But today’s cut will not fix the banking system and get banks lending again. With more job losses being announced every day, the Government and the Bank of England must stand ready to take further action to boost the economy and make credit available once more, such as action to take out the toxic debts that are still hobbling the financial system.“
“Though not unexpected, this is a welcome move. Banks and building societies must now pass this cut on to business and mortgage borrowers.
“But today’s cut will not fix the banking system and get banks lending again. With more job losses being announced every day, the Government and the Bank of England must stand ready to take further action to boost the economy and make credit available once more, such as action to take out the toxic debts that are still hobbling the financial system.“
431,000 people in the West Midlands are working unpaid overtime
431,000 people in the West Midlands worked unpaid overtime in 2008, worth a total of £2 billion, according to an analysis of official statistics published by the TUC today (Thursday).
Employees who work unpaid overtime would receive an extra £4,674 a year if they were paid for the additional hours they are putting in – an increase of £175 since last year. The average amount of unpaid overtime worked is seven hours six minutes a week.
The number of people working unpaid overtime in the West Midlands increased by 5.6 per cent (+23,000) in 2008. The biggest increases were in London (+79,000), the East Midlands (+61,000) and Eastern England (53,000). The number of people working unpaid overtime fell in the South East (-26,000) and Scotland (-11,000).
The TUC has calculated that if everyone who works unpaid overtime did all their unpaid work at the start of the year, the first day they would get paid would be Friday 27 February. The TUC traditionally declares this ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ and makes a light-hearted call for staff to work their proper hours for at least one day a year and for employers to thank their staff for regularly putting in the extra hours at work.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “After years of progress, the numbers doing unpaid overtime has increased for the second year in a row. This is disappointing.
“But while some of this is due to the longs-hours culture that still dogs too many British workplaces, the recession will now be making many people scared of losing their job in the year ahead and joining the ever-growing dole-queue.
“Inevitably people will be putting in extra hours if they think it can help protect against redundancy or keep their employer in business.
“This is not the year therefore for our usual light-hearted ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’. But this does not mean people should ignore excessive working. Friday 27 February should still be used to think through working hours. Long hours are bad for people’s health, and employers should never forget that each extra hour worked makes people less productive once they are over a sensible working week.
“The recession should instead provide a spur to make workplaces more productive, and for managers to get staff to work together, not compete for who can stay the latest.”
Employees who work unpaid overtime would receive an extra £4,674 a year if they were paid for the additional hours they are putting in – an increase of £175 since last year. The average amount of unpaid overtime worked is seven hours six minutes a week.
The number of people working unpaid overtime in the West Midlands increased by 5.6 per cent (+23,000) in 2008. The biggest increases were in London (+79,000), the East Midlands (+61,000) and Eastern England (53,000). The number of people working unpaid overtime fell in the South East (-26,000) and Scotland (-11,000).
The TUC has calculated that if everyone who works unpaid overtime did all their unpaid work at the start of the year, the first day they would get paid would be Friday 27 February. The TUC traditionally declares this ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ and makes a light-hearted call for staff to work their proper hours for at least one day a year and for employers to thank their staff for regularly putting in the extra hours at work.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “After years of progress, the numbers doing unpaid overtime has increased for the second year in a row. This is disappointing.
“But while some of this is due to the longs-hours culture that still dogs too many British workplaces, the recession will now be making many people scared of losing their job in the year ahead and joining the ever-growing dole-queue.
“Inevitably people will be putting in extra hours if they think it can help protect against redundancy or keep their employer in business.
“This is not the year therefore for our usual light-hearted ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’. But this does not mean people should ignore excessive working. Friday 27 February should still be used to think through working hours. Long hours are bad for people’s health, and employers should never forget that each extra hour worked makes people less productive once they are over a sensible working week.
“The recession should instead provide a spur to make workplaces more productive, and for managers to get staff to work together, not compete for who can stay the latest.”
East Midlands has biggest increase in the amount of unpaid overtime worked
382,000 people in the East Midlands worked unpaid overtime in 2008, worth a total of £1.8 billion, according to an analysis of official statistics published by the TUC today (Thursday).
Employees who work unpaid overtime would receive an extra £4,756 a year if they were paid for the additional hours they are putting in – an extra £565 since last year – the biggest increase in the UK. The average amount of unpaid overtime is seven hours 18 minutes a week.
The East Midlands had the second biggest increase in the number of people working unpaid overtime (+61,000) after London (+79,000) in 2008. The number of people working unpaid overtime fell in the South East (-26,000) and Scotland (-11,000).
The TUC has calculated that if everyone who works unpaid overtime did all their unpaid work at the start of the year, the first day they would get paid would be Friday 27 February. The TUC traditionally declares this ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ and makes a light-hearted call for staff to work their proper hours for at least one day a year and for employers to thank their staff for regularly putting in the extra hours at work.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “After years of progress, the numbers doing unpaid overtime has increased for the second year in a row. This is disappointing.
“But while some of this is due to the longs-hours culture that still dogs too many British workplaces, the recession will now be making many people scared of losing their job in the year ahead and joining the ever-growing dole-queue.
“Inevitably people will be putting in extra hours if they think it can help protect against redundancy or keep their employer in business.
“This is not the year therefore for our usual light-hearted ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’. But this does not mean people should ignore excessive working. Friday 27 February should still be used to think through working hours. Long hours are bad for people’s health, and employers should never forget that each extra hour worked makes people less productive once they are over a sensible working week.
“The recession should instead provide a spur to make workplaces more productive, and for managers to get staff to work together, not compete for who can stay the latest.”
- To find out more about ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ visit www.workyourproperhoursday.com
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
Employees who work unpaid overtime would receive an extra £4,756 a year if they were paid for the additional hours they are putting in – an extra £565 since last year – the biggest increase in the UK. The average amount of unpaid overtime is seven hours 18 minutes a week.
The East Midlands had the second biggest increase in the number of people working unpaid overtime (+61,000) after London (+79,000) in 2008. The number of people working unpaid overtime fell in the South East (-26,000) and Scotland (-11,000).
The TUC has calculated that if everyone who works unpaid overtime did all their unpaid work at the start of the year, the first day they would get paid would be Friday 27 February. The TUC traditionally declares this ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ and makes a light-hearted call for staff to work their proper hours for at least one day a year and for employers to thank their staff for regularly putting in the extra hours at work.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “After years of progress, the numbers doing unpaid overtime has increased for the second year in a row. This is disappointing.
“But while some of this is due to the longs-hours culture that still dogs too many British workplaces, the recession will now be making many people scared of losing their job in the year ahead and joining the ever-growing dole-queue.
“Inevitably people will be putting in extra hours if they think it can help protect against redundancy or keep their employer in business.
“This is not the year therefore for our usual light-hearted ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’. But this does not mean people should ignore excessive working. Friday 27 February should still be used to think through working hours. Long hours are bad for people’s health, and employers should never forget that each extra hour worked makes people less productive once they are over a sensible working week.
“The recession should instead provide a spur to make workplaces more productive, and for managers to get staff to work together, not compete for who can stay the latest.”
- To find out more about ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ visit www.workyourproperhoursday.com
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Apprenticeship funding boost will help thousands of people into employment
Responding to proposals announced today (Wednesday) by the Secretary of State of Universities, Innovation and Skills John Denham that the Government is to increase funding for apprentices by £140 million and introduce commitments to training and apprenticeships in all publicly-let contracts, Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said:
“Today’s funding boost will give thousands of people the chance to re-train or learn new skills as apprentices.
“We also welcome plans to use procurement to ensure that any private sector company awarded a Government contract is committed to skills and apprentices too.
“As redundancies mount, the Government must take every step to help people back into the labour market as soon as possible. We cannot afford to leave unemployed people on the scrap heap, as has been the case in previous recessions.”
“Today’s funding boost will give thousands of people the chance to re-train or learn new skills as apprentices.
“We also welcome plans to use procurement to ensure that any private sector company awarded a Government contract is committed to skills and apprentices too.
“As redundancies mount, the Government must take every step to help people back into the labour market as soon as possible. We cannot afford to leave unemployed people on the scrap heap, as has been the case in previous recessions.”
Bank must cut rates but the high street banks must pass it on, says TUC
As the Monetary Policy Committee begins its January meeting today (Wednesday), the TUC is calling on the Bank of England to opt for another substantial cut in interest rates, and for more to be done to make sure borrowers get the full benefit of any cut.
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “Most commentators agree that with 2009 getting off to the gloomiest possible start, another big cut in interest rates, of between 0.5 and one per cent, is crucial if confidence is to return to the UK economy.
“But while some house owners and businesses have benefitted from much reduced monthly mortgage and loan payments, other banks and building societies have not been so generous.
“The Government must get tough with the banks who are failing to pass on the recent cuts, otherwise any drop in rates tomorrow will be meaningless as firms continue to go to the wall and thousands of workers find themselves joining the dole queue.”
Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “Most commentators agree that with 2009 getting off to the gloomiest possible start, another big cut in interest rates, of between 0.5 and one per cent, is crucial if confidence is to return to the UK economy.
“But while some house owners and businesses have benefitted from much reduced monthly mortgage and loan payments, other banks and building societies have not been so generous.
“The Government must get tough with the banks who are failing to pass on the recent cuts, otherwise any drop in rates tomorrow will be meaningless as firms continue to go to the wall and thousands of workers find themselves joining the dole queue.”
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