Articles & News
This page contains articles submitted by our community along with extracts, with links to recent press articles that might be of interest. Articles are in decreasing date order but on occassions if I find an older article of interest, I will include it in the appropriate place hence you might like to scroll down and check if there are any new insertions occassionally.
Read, digest and feel free to go to the forum to make comments and discuss with the rest of our community.
If you would like to submit an article for inclusion or find something of interest in the press that you would like to share, please email it to WCU
To quickly find earlier articles from our articles page you can use our WCU Articles index
Out of work? Join the job club
With jobcentres ill-equipped to deal with the middle-class unemployed, independent job clubs can provide an alternative network of contacts and support. read more
Andrew Bence, The Guardian, Saturday 29 January 2011
Video: Mark Prisk on stimulating enterprise
www.startups.co.uk, 26 November 2010 15:29
In this video interview with Startups.co.uk, the business and enterprise minister, Mark Prisk, gives his comments on how he believes UK enterprise can, and should, be stimulated.
Spending Review 2010: Apprenticeships doubled, but job fears remain
Louisa Peacock, Jobs Editor, telegraph.co.uk, 21 Oct 2010
Plans to boost adult apprenticeships have been given the thumbs up by business groups, but fears are growing that the Government's Spending Review has not done enough to boost wider job creation in the UK. read more
Over 50 and on the scrapheap: As recession bites, a record rise in older workers condemned to long-term unemployment
By Sean Poulter, Mail Online, 11th August 2010
The recession has created a generation of over-50s who are condemned to long- term unemployment, disturbing new figures revealed last night.
The number of older workers trapped in a spiral of joblessness has soared by more than 50 per cent in a year to the highest figure in a decade. Read more
Fixed retirement age to be axed
BBC News, 29 July 2010
The government is planning to scrap the default retirement age in the UK from October 2011.
Under the proposal, employers would not be allowed to dismiss staff because they had reached the age of 65.
Activists, who have long campaigned against the rule, welcomed the proposal as a "victory" against ageism. read more
Duncan Smith considers incentives to relocate jobless
BBC News, Sunday, 27 June 2010
Mr Duncan Smith said people needed help to find work. Unemployed people living in council homes could be offered incentives to move to areas where there are jobs, the work and pensions secretary has said.
Iain Duncan Smith said millions were trapped in "ghettos of poverty" unable to move for fear of losing their homes.
Labour's Ed Balls called the idea "profoundly unfair" and likened it to Tory calls in the 1980s for people to "get on your bike" to look for work.
But Mr Duncan Smith said such comparisons were "ludicrous". read more
Nick Clegg says cuts move 'painful but necessary'
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Cleggs says spending cuts are "painful but needed". Imminent spending cuts will be "painful and controversial", Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has admitted.
Ahead of Monday's announcement of the details of £6bn in cuts this year, Mr Clegg said the squeeze was necessary to "bring sense" to the public finances. read more and watch the videoUK workforce needs skills for areas of growth
Microsoft Small Business Centre, Sarah Parish, 23 April 2010
Re-education of the British workforce is necessary if UK businesses' skills demand is to be met in the future, it has been claimed.
According to Farhan Yasin, president Europe, the Middle East and Africa operations at CareerBuilder.com, training is primarily required in areas likely to see long-term growth.
He claimed that if the UK economy is to thrive, it must have a ready supply of qualified labour in areas such as IT and healthcare.
Mr Yasin said the focus must move away from markets and industries such as manufacturing and construction, which will, in all likelihood, continue to decline.
If the UK does not focus its skills investment on areas of high demand, workers from abroad are likely to take opportunities away from the UK workforce, he claimed.
"My belief is that there is a disparity between the skills necessary to gain employment in a lot of these emerging sectors of the UK economy, and the skills that the labour force here in the UK has," Mr Yasin added.
Unemployment rises to highest level since Labour came to power
Telegraph.co.uk, Personal Finance Correspondent, 22 Apr 2010
Labour was dealt a pre-election blow with unemployment rising to 2.5 million, the highest level since the party came to power, official figures have disclosed.
The number of people out of work climbed by 43,000 in the three months to February, up 369,000 from a year earlier and the worst total since 1994, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Long-term jobless hits 13-year high in new blow for Brown
By Becky Barrow, Mail online, 22nd April 2010
Labour's economic credentials were dealt a blow yesterday after it emerged that the number of long-term unemployed has nearly doubled in just two years.
Gordon Brown's welfare-to-work schemes were branded an expensive failure for potentially creating a 'lost generation' that cannot find employment.
Since 2008, the number of Britons unemployed for at least a year has rocketed from 390,000 to 726,000 - the highest level for 13 years, the Office for National Statistics said.
Redundancy
Frank McCarthy, CEO of MrHandymanfranchise UK, 5th April 2010
Very often it comes out of the blue, delivered coldly in what appears to be a heartless manner and of course it is a big shock. This horror called Redundancy can leave you feeling hopeless that you have let everybody down and you have no idea what to do next.
What can you do, many thousands have been given this challenge in 2009 and yet unbelievably Redundancy can be a godsend.
You will remember the bird that was kicked out of the nest and then he flew. There is great opportunity in Redundancy for those who can grasp it, like a career change, do what you always wanted to do and that is to work for yourself, never let Redundancy happen to you again.
There are many good opportunities for you now - you have choice, your life can change greatly if you start your own business. Franchising is a good way to do this, why franchising you might ask .Well let us take a look,
- You get a business that is tried and tested
- The business expertise of the Franchisor who has achieved it all.
- The professional help.
- Training on-going.
- Back-Up on-going.
- The secure knowledge you will not be on your own.
- The back-up and advice of all other Franchisees.
- Franchising reduces the risk involved in business.
- You do not have to convince the bank your idea is workable.
The franchisor must give support, a lot of it, training must be on-going, and it must be forever as change comes fast. Change is an essential ingredient for success.
At MrHandymanFranchise we have learned and understand fully that for franchisee business owners to be successful the support and training must be on-going, it must never stop. The franchisee should never be on their own, there is no better way for the franchisor to be successful, than to make sure the franchisees are successful.
David Ambinder, having been made Redundant from his Vice Presidents position at Lehman Bros, bought a Mrhandymanfranchise in Chicago. You can hear what he has to say about coming from "high flying" finance to franchising.
The BBC news bulletin can be viewed at www.mrhandymanfranchise.co.uk. Click on BUSINESS WEEK at the same address and you will see many more success stories. So shake off the past, the future is forward, see this Redundancy as a positive and take advantage of it.
Ladies, it appears, have noticed that Franchising is a good opportunity for women Entrepreneurs to enter the business world as 28% of MrHandyman Business owners are women. The British Franchise Association say 42% of franchisees are graduates, 90% say they are profitable.Frank McCarthy, CEO of MrHandymanfranchise UK
www.mrhandymanfranchise.co.uk
How to make the most of you
Karen Williams, Self Discovery Coaching 18-03-2010
"If someone asked you what you were good at, what would be your response?
Would you find it easy to tell people what your qualities are, or would you mutter, gasp or change the subject very quickly?"
Read the full article, How to make the most of you
Looking for a Business Opportunity in the UK?
visualjob.com, February 27, 2010
So you’ve just been made unemployed ? Have you considered franchising as a new and lucrative career? There are a wide range of wonderful franchise opportunities available at WhichFranchise.com – depending on what business you’re looking for. You might just notice the franchise that’s right for you! read more
Underemployed make jobless figures 'deceptively good'
BBC newschannel Tuesday, 16 February 2010
The UK jobs market looks "deceptively healthy" because of an increase in the number of people having to settle for part-time work, the TUC has warned.
The union body says thousands of people are only taking part-time or temporary work because they are failing to find full-time employment.
Also, an Office for National Statistics report showed a rise in "underemployed workers" working less than they wanted. read more
Are jobcentres still working?
Graham Snowdon, The Guardian, Saturday 6 February 2010
A century ago the first labour exchanges opened to great acclaim. But despite the many advances, are their successors meeting their clients' needs, asks Graham Snowdon. read more.
Plastics recycler gives work to 200 jobless
BBC News, Thursday, 21 January 2010
A company in Northamptonshire has said it has given jobs to 200 young people as part of a government scheme to help the unemployed back to work. read more
Surprise fall in UK unemployment amid surge in part-time jobs
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 20 January 2010
A rapid growth in part-time jobs may prevent the jobless total rising above the 3 million mark after unemployment unexpectedly fell for the first time in 18 months in November.
The Office for National Statistics said the broadest measure of unemployment fell by 7,000 to 2.458 million, the first quarterly decline since May 2008, leaving the jobless rate at 7.8%.
The narrower measure of people claiming unemployment benefits dropped by more than expected in December, falling by 15,200 to 1.61 million, the biggest drop since early 2007. read more
Jobs created for 350 unemployed in Surrey
BBC news, Friday, 22 January 2010
Surrey County Council will oversee the creation of 350 six-month posts for people aged between 18 and 24. They will learn new skills which will help them get other jobs in the future. read more
Despite the doom-mongers, the UK economy isn't a basket case after all
Will Hutton, The Observer, Sunday 3 January 2010
After nearly two years of financial and economic mayhem, this will be a year of a steadily improving economy.
Just before Christmas, the Office for National Statistics reported that unemployment as measured by the numbers applying for the Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) had fallen 6,300. In no postwar recession has unemployment ever fallen so quickly, just 20 months after the rise began. It took 40 months before the first fall in the early 1980s. True, it is only a one-month fall. read more
Unemployment 'will peak at 2.8m' in 2010
BBC 29th December 2009
Unemployment will peak at 2.8 million in 2010, according to the latest forecast from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
The business group said unemployment would continue to rise for the first six months of the new year, despite the recovery in the UK economy. read more
Number spending second Christmas unemployed doubles
Mirror.co.uk - Mark Ellis - Dec 23, 2009
The number of unemployed spending a second Christmas out of work has more than doubled to 200000 - the highest in nearly a decade, ...
The number of unemployed spending a second Christmas out of work has more than doubled to 200,000 - the highest in nearly a decade, a report reveals today.
And the ranks of long-term jobless are set to rise further next year, the Trades Union Congress warns.
The TUC claims the weekly £64.30 Jobseeker's Allowance is so paltry it will do little to lift their Christmas gloom.
The TUC study shows 58 council areas where more than 1,000 have been on the dole for more than 12 months - up from 19 last year. read more
Long-term unemployment has doubled, TUC says
BBC, 23rd December 2009
The number of people on Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for more than a year has nearly doubled, the TUC has said.
Those claiming JSA for more than 12 months rose to 201,015 in November 2009, up from 103,930 in December 2008. read more
Building Britain’s Recovery: Achieving Full Employment
DWP 15 December 2009
"Building Britain’s Recovery: Achieving Full Employment", published on 15 December 2009, restates the Government’s response to the recession and signals the start of the programme to return to full employment. Whitepaper: "Building Britain’s Recovery: Achieving Full Employment"
Redundant Brits will struggle to survive
MoneyMarketing .co.uk, 1 December 2009, By Tracey Scott
Research by Bright Grey has found that nearly 40 per cent of Britons could not survive for more than one month if faced with redundancy.
In its reality gap report, the protection provider found that 43 per cent of Britons believe they could use their savings to pay the bills following a redundancy, but in reality 38 per cent of the UK’s working population could not survive beyond one month on savings alone, says Bright Grey. read more
"Back to work" plan to push self-employment
Posted by The Independent, Monday, 30 November 2009
The jobless will receive up to £800 tax-free and intensive support and advice on how to become self-employed as soon as they sign on the dole under a new drive to bring down unemployment as soon as possible after the recession ends. There are growing signs that many women are starting their own businesses from home.
The extra cash will be announced in a "Back to Work" White Paper published alongside the Chancellor Alistair Darling's Pre-Budget Report on 9 December.
At present, people have to be out of work for six months before qualifying for a £50-a-week self-employment credit for 16 weeks to bridge the gap between the dole and an income from their new business. The six-month gap is seen as a deterrent and ministers believe that more of the jobless would start their own firms if they could get the state help from day one. read more
Lowestoft UK's enterprise capital
UKPA 1st December 2009
Lowestoft , a seaside town, where 5,000 new businesses have been set up in the past two years, creating almost 10,000 jobs, was named the enterprise capital of Britain.
Lowestoft in the East of England is said to have transformed itself from a town in decline hit by industrial downturns into a breeding ground for business growth. read more
Make use of freelancers, firms told
www.mybusiness.co.uk 20/11/2009
Small businesses should tap into the freelance talent pool in order to withstand the economic downturn, it has been claimed.
Speaking ahead of National Freelancers’ Day, Sir Tom Farmer, the founder of Kwik-Fit said:
“What we’re beginning to recognise is that the bigger you are the dumber you are – over the next 10 years business will go through tremendous changes as companies “trim the fat” and make themselves more efficient ..."
“The traditional model has always been one of employer/employee. Clearly that is changing. A lot of people opt to work for themselves as a freelancer and it would be enormously helpful, not just on the side of taxation and regulation, but also on the practical side, if there are ways to make this easier for people.” read more
Jobs growth rooted in enterprise
www.mybusiness.co.uk 18/11/2009
If just 10% of aspiring entrepreneurs actually set up businesses, there would be an extra 1.1 million job opportunities in the UK, it has been estimated.
Enterprise UK, a national organisation that promotes entrepreneurialism, believes that an extra 647,000 businesses would be created as a result.
The findings are based on research which found that more than six million people in the UK have dreams of starting a business. read more
IT Industry Will Contribute 5.8 million Jobs To Help Recovery
eweekeurope.co.uk, 5th October 2009
A Microsoft sponsored study says that the IT giant and the companies in its "ecosystem" will generate $535bn (£334bn) in revenues this year
The IT industry will help with recovery from the global downturn by contributing around 5.8 million jobs over the next four years and could create around 75,000 businesses during that period, according to a study from analyst IDC sponsored by Microsoft.
The study releases late last week concludes that the IT employment rate will be 3 percent a year which is more than three times the rate of growth of the wider employment market. IT spending is also expected to increase 3.3 percent a year between 2009 and 2013. read more
Tories 'to get Britain working'
BBC News, Sunday, 4 October 2009
Mr Cameron told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show the New Deal and other schemes would be replaced with personalised help for those out of work. read more
Microsoft invests £45m in employment drive
MicroScope.co.uk, September 2009
Microsoft has unveiled plans to establish a job matching service to help skilled workers find employment with resellers.
As part of the vendors ambitious £45m campaign to get 500,000 into work by 2012 to boost the digital economy it is getting ready its MSEmploy service.
The vendor is currently calling for CVs but once it has hit critical mass it will be matching jobs between candidates and its partners. read more
BCS: Training, Not Infrastructure, Will Bring Recovery
eweekeurope.co.uk, September 24, 2009
Improving IT training and skills is more important than building new infrastructure when it comes to helping the UK tech industry recover from the recession according to research from the BCS.
The survey from the The BCS Chartered Institute for IT released this week revealed that 65 percent of IT professionals surveyed wanted to see more focus on IT education, training and developing technical skills. read more
UK unemployment climbs to 2.47m
BBC News, Wednesday, 16 September 2009
The number of people out of work in the UK has risen to its highest level in 14 years, official figures have shown.
Unemployment increased by 210,000 to 2.47m in the three months to July, taking the jobless rate to 7.9%, the Office for National Statistics said.
Claims for unemployment benefit in August grew by 24,400 from July to 1.61m, the highest since May 1997. read more
Another review won't help the jobless
By Deborah Hyde, 13:03:39, 13 August 2009
The government has launched an investigation into the gap between the number of people out of work and those claiming benefit – but the money and staff could be better employed elsewhere. read more
Queen of the jobless industry
John-Paul Flintoff, The Sunday Times, August 16, 2009
Emma Harrison has made a fortune from the unemployment business. She does it to improve lives. read more
UK must think again on how to tackle jobless problem
By Damian Reece, Telegraph.co.uk, Group Head of Business, 12 Aug 2009
This is a genuine call to arms to all those who recognise that their interests are aligned with those of the UK economy and its workforce. read more
Analysis: Unemployment v claimants explained
From Times Online August 12, 2009
In the three months to June, unemployment rose by 220,000. On the other hand, in July the number of extra people signing up for jobless benefits increased by 24,900.
The number of people claiming benefits is 1.59 million but the total number of Britons out of work is 2.43 million. read more
Inquiry over missing benefits claimants as middle classes refuse dole
By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent, Telegraph.co.uk, 12 Aug 2009
An official inquiry into unemployment and benefits figures has begun, amid suspicions that middle class people made redundant are choosing not to claim welfare payments.
Three quarters of a million people who have lost their jobs during the recession have not appeared in official welfare statistics, prompting the investigation. read more
UK unemployment soars to 2.43 million
Louisa Peacock, Personneltoday.com12 August 2009 10:06
Unemployment has soared to 2.43 million in the three months to June, an increase of 220,000, and up 750,000 on the year, official figures have shown.
The unemployment rate was 7.8%, up 0.7 percentage points from the previous three months, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed. read more
UK Tackles Funding Crisis For British Tech
By Andrew Donoghue, eWeekEurope, 4th August, 2009The UK Government is aiming to create a £1billion fund for technology companies. They announced today that they are pushing ahead with a plan to create what it claims will be the "largest technology fund in Europe" to help counter an expected downturn in funding for small businesses and start-ups. read more
Backing Britain’s unemployed is our priority
DWP press release 15 July 2009
Unemployment continues to rise, but the help people are getting is working - as latest figures show that the number of people coming off Jobseeker’s Allowance is the highest in over a decade.
New figures out from the Office for National Statistics today show that while unemployment has risen, the number of new claims being made for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) has fallen for the third month in a row and the rise in JSA is the smallest for a year. DWP also published statistics today showing that numbers on inactive benefits, such as incapacity benefits, remain stable.
"This summer our priority must be young people leaving education. While people of all ages have suffered in this recession, the Government recognises that unemployment for young people can adversely affect the rest of their working lives. We are therefore taking action to ensure that young people get as much help as possible to gain the vital experience and confidence they need to compete in today’s labour market. We won’t abandon an entire generation of young people to long-term unemployment."
Wanted: Unemployed Briton to go on free holiday and call it work
Britons made redundant in the recession are being offered the chance to apply for a dream job with lastminute.com – getting paid to go on holiday.
No experience is necessary and there are no qualifications for the role, although the person selected will have to write reviews of their experiences for lastminute.com, the travel firm which has created the position.
Anyone wanting to enter must send a photo of themselves having "a seriously good time" on holiday, and a review of no more than 200 words describing their experience by July 15. read more
Telegraph.co.uk, 25 Jun 2009
Business services sector to shed 311,000 jobs
The business services sector will shed 311,000 jobs in the next few years, a new report has warned. read more
Institute of Leadership & management, Newsroom, 22-6-09
Companies Expect Job Cuts But Not In IT
Nine out ten companies say they have no plans to cut back on their IT headcount despite making redundancies in other areas. Tech staff may be insulated from further job cuts resulting from the recession according to the latest research from the government backed skills councils e-skills UK. read more
Andrew Donoghue, eweekeurope.co.uk, 22-06-2009
Redundant staff 'have a six month window'
People who lose their jobs have six months before the situation impacts on their employment prospects, according to a new study by the ILM. It found that after half a year has passed a quarter of employers are less likely to hire someone. read more
Institute of Leadership & management, Newsroom, 18-6-09
Rise in jobless across Hampshire
Unemployment in some local areas is falling, leading to hopes that the recession is thawing in Hampshire. read more
By Adam Kula, The News, Portsmouth, 18 June 2009
Unemployment rises by another 230,000
Latest unemployment figures released today are not quite as bad as predicted but they still show that unemployment has soared to 7.2%, its highest level in more than 12 years as UK companies continue to make big cut backs or fold.
Guardian.co.uk ran an interesting article about this today along with a number of other related comments. read more
Graeme Wearden, guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 17 June 2009
Unions Warn UK Unemployment To Keep Rising Until Late 2010
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- A union grouping representing nearly seven million U.K. workers urged the government Tuesday to speed up efforts to tackle unemployment, saying the number of people out of work is likely to continue rising until at least the third quarter of next year.
The Trades Union Congress, which has 58 affiliated unions, said even if the economy is recovering, it will be years before the thousands of people who have lost their jobs will see anything to celebrate. read more
By Nicholas Winning, Dow Jones Newswires, 16th June 2009
Vast local differences in impact of recession revealed by new report
LGA news release - Friday 12 June 2009
According to new research published this month (12th June 2009) by the Local Government Association (LGA), the recession has hit blue collar workers in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and South Wales whereas London and the South East have been hit much harder by white collar job losses.
The number of managers and professionals seeking Jobseekers' Allowance has risen by 154% over the last 12 months, from 46,700 to 118,700 compared to a growth of 77% in the blue collar sector over the same period. read more
The white-collar workers being hit hardest by recession
A great article about the concerns and experiences of some unemployed people reported by managementtoday.com after they met some jobseekers in Bristol. read more
Emma De Vita, managementtoday.com, 01-Jun-09
BCC: European Burdens Barometer reveals staggering cost of red tape on business
Research published today by Eurochambres, the representative body for Chambers of Commerce across Europe, has revealed that the cumulative cost of red tape on Europe’s businesses over the last 11 years amounts to a staggering €1 trillion. Similarly, estimates of the annual cost of all EU regulations are in excess of 12 per cent of EU GDP.
David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Businesses are facing the toughest economic environment for a generation. Company cash flow is being squeezed and unemployment is growing as a result. read more
Politics.co.uk, Wednesday, 27, May 2009
Downturn 'double whammy' for over 50's
A video report from the BBC in May 2009 about the impact of the downturn on the over 50's. Age Concern is claiming that people over the age of 50 are facing "a recession double whammy". There is also mention in the video of the effects at the other end of the age spectrum. read more & watch the video
BBC news channel, 26 May 2009
EC To Regulate State Aid For Next-Gen Broadband
Stimulus packages to build high-speed broadband must not fall foul of state aid rules, warned European commissioner Neelie Kroes. read more
eWeekEurope, Andrew Donoghue, 22-05-2009
Getting Britain’s unemployed back to work
Employment figures, published today by the UK Statistics Authority, show another rise in unemployment though almost 300,000 people left the claimant count last month.
The Government is committed to helping everyone who loses their job find work as quickly as possible, a commitment backed up by over £3bn in last month’s Budget, on top of new support for people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance at day one and six months which came in April.
Unemployment creeping up
New official unemployment figures show the number of people out of work is gradually rising. Unemployment has now crept from 6.7 per cent to 7.1 per cent, with 2.215 million people out of work.
By politics.co.uk staff, Tuesday 12th May 2009
Digital Investment Could Create 700,000 UK Jobs
The London School of Economics is calling on the government to invest in digital infrastructure to help escape the recession. read more
eWeek Europe 30-04-2009
Programme launched to help jobless graduates
A new initiative aimed at helping graduates struggling to get jobs in recessionary Britain was launched today by skills secretary John Denham. read more
By politics.co.uk staff, Wednesday 29th April 2009
White-collar staff losing jobs at faster rate than blue-collar workers
Figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show 210,000 people on unemployment benefits in March had previously held skilled, middle-class jobs – more than 120% higher than the same month last year. read more
Kat Baker, Personell Today .com, 27 April 2009
White-collar jobs hit as recession bites
Joblessness is mounting more quickly among professionals than the less-skilled as the recession drives hundreds of thousands of middle-class workers on to the dole, according to an analysis by the Financial Times. read more
By Daniel Pimlott, Economics Reporter, FT.com, Last updated: April 26 2009
White-collar workers hardest hit by recession
White-collar professionals have been hit hardest by the recession, official Job Centre figures show, with only public sector workers shielded from the unemployment crisis. read more
By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor , Telegraph, 24th April 2009
Unemployment rises to 2.1 million
Unemployment increased by 177,000 people in the three months to February to reach 2.1 million, official figures have shown. read more
Mike Berry 22 April 2009
Digital Britain Summit: Gordon Brown pledges support for creative industries
Gordon Brown pledged to do everything possible to enable the UK's creative industries to play their part in securing the country's digital future and maintaining its global competitiveness. read more
by John Tylee, campaignlive.co.uk 17-Apr-09, 11:00
Unemployment 'to hit 3.2 million'
Unemployment will hit 3.2 million as the economy shrinks by even more than had been feared, business leaders at the British Chambers of Commerce have predicted. read more
By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent, Telegraph.co.uk, Last Updated: 23 Mar 2009
'We are seeing some very distressed and disturbed people'
The Citizens Advice Bureau is dealing with a new and growing breed of advice-seeker – once-affluent white-collar workers pushed into debt and unemployment by the recession. read more
Amelia Gentleman, guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 10 March 2009
Jobless executives to get special help
From next month, professionals who sign on will get one-to-one meetings with a personal adviser, attend group sessions for similar jobless people at new-style "job clubs", given help to brush up their job-hunting skills and receive advice on changing careers. The Government will pay specialist recruitment agencies, including Reed, to help people seeking executive posts. read more
By Andrew Grice, Political Editor,The Independent, Monday, 9 March 2009
Drive to tackle white-collar unemployment in recession Britain
A multi-million pound drive to tackle white-collar unemployment will be launched by the Government as the recession hits the middle classes. read more
Daily Telegraph, March 2009
Employment scheme 'risking failure'
A flagship Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) programme aimed at improving employment numbers is at risk of failure if it does not receive more money, a committee announced today.
"It is bad enough that people have to wait a year for specialist support after losing their jobs. That support must not be further compromised by a funding shortfall. read more
By politics.co.uk staff, Thursday 05th March 2009
White collar jobs for white collar workers
"... The track record with these kinds of schemes is that they're costly and - particularly in the case of the already well-qualified - may not make the attendees all that much more employable." read more
Peter Hoskin, Coffeehouse, Wednesday, 11th February 2009
Jobcentres given new mission to save the middle-class jobless
"...In addition the Department for Innovation, University and Skills is secretly negotiating with colleges to provide new 12-week courses specifically aimed at helping recently out-of-work professionals to refresh their qualifications." read more
The Times, February 11, 2009
Key Labour employment plan close to collapse
Toby Helm, Rajeev Syal, The Observer, Sunday 8 February 2009
The government's flagship policy to revolutionise welfare by paying private companies to find jobs for the unemployed was in crisis last night as firms said there were too many people out of work - and too few vacancies - to make it viable.
News that Labour's radical plan is in turmoil and facing possible legal challenges comes as unemployment is about to pass the two million mark for the first time in more than a decade. read more
Guaranteed extra help for people unemployed for six months
DWP press release 12 January 2009
New package of intensive support plus access to "Employers’ Golden Hellos", new training places and cash to start-up your own business
Real help for the unemployed
DWP press release - 17 December 2008
More support will be rolled out to unemployed people as new Labour Market figures published today show a rise in the numbers of people claiming unemployment benefits.
With over half a million vacancies in the economy which employers are trying to fill, a package of measures is being announced today which will help people gain the right training and skills to ensure they stand the best chance possible of getting back to work.
Think 'creatively' to help white-collar unemployed
Universities have warned that their finances will be tight during the credit crunch after the Government called on them to direct a £120 million VAT "windfall" towards helping workers who lose their jobs in the recession. read more
Times Higher Education, 11 December 2008
Middle class face jobs disaster, warns Bank of England
The middle classes are facing a "white collar recession" of falling living standards and unemployment as the economy suffers its worst year since 1980, the Bank of England has warned. read more
By Harry Wallop, Consumer Affairs Editor, Telegraph.co.uk, Last Updated:13 Nov 2008