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.”
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.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
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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