Tag: employment

You’ve got a friend … PM ‘gets on with the job’ on eve of damning report

PM hails £10 billion Qatari ‘vote of confidence’ in the UK

  • The PM hosted the Amir of Qatar yesterday to develop our historic partnership and agree new joint work on trade, energy and defence
  • Strategic Investment Partnership will see Qatar invest up to £10 billion in key industries across the UK, creating jobs and growth
  • UK and Qatar agreed to work together improve the stability of energy supply chains and support security at the 2022 World Cup

It was all smiles when The Prime Minister welcomed the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, to Downing Street yesterday for discussions on driving economic growth and addressing global challenges together.

The meeting was surely a welcome distraction from the latest Partygate revelations and the imminent publication of the Sue Gray report into Downing Street lockdown parties, which is expected to be extremely critical of Boris Johnson’s conduct.

The UK and Qatar signed a new Strategic Investment Partnership (SIP) which will see Qatar invest up to £10 billion over the next five years in key sectors of the UK economy, including fintech, zero emissions vehicles, life sciences and cyber security. The investment is expected to create high-quality jobs in new industries across the country.

The Prime Minister and the Amir also had a wide-ranging discussion on geopolitical issues. They were united in their condemnation of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and discussed issues of regional security, including relations with Iran.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Today’s announcement of up to £10bn in new investment from our Qatari friends is another vote of confidence in the UK’s brilliant businesses and cutting-edge industry.

“The new UK-Qatar Strategic Investment Partnership will create quality job opportunities across the country in key sectors, delivering on our vision of economic growth through trade and investment.

“Qatar is a valued partner for the UK, supported by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad’s leadership.  We had a rich discussion on the issues that matter to both of our countries, including boosting the economy, ensuring regional stability and improving energy security following Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine.”

UK-Qatar trade was worth £4.8 billion last year and Qatari investment in the UK economy is already estimated to be worth over £40 billion, supporting jobs and growth across the country.

Minister for Investment Lord Grimstone said: “It is excellent news that Qatar is targeting up to £10 billion investment into the UK through our new Strategic Investment Partnership.

“Not only will it boost local economies and support jobs, but it supports our green economy and decarbonisation – crucial in meeting our Net Zero targets. It also strengthens our relationship with Qatar ahead of our UK-Gulf Cooperation Council trade negotiations.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng also signed an MoU on energy cooperation with Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs at Downing Street. Qatar is a major energy supplier for the UK, providing 40% of our liquefied natural gas – the new MoU commits us to work together to boost innovation and collaboration, supporting the security of global energy supplies.

UK Secretary of State for Business and Energy, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “I am delighted to further the UK’s energy cooperation with the State of Qatar as we work to stabilise international energy markets and boost energy security in the context of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“Qatar is already a valued trading partner, recently investing in the future of British low-carbon nuclear technology through the Rolls Royce consortium developing small modular reactors. Today’s meeting will deepen our relationship even further, reinforcing the UK’s energy security and delivering cleaner and affordable energy in the years ahead.”

The Prime Minister and Amir discussed the upcoming 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, and the UK committed significant new military and counter-terrorism support for the safe running of the event.

A joint UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron will provide additional air security, and the Ministry of Defence with advanced venue search training and operational planning support.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that the UK will ensure Qatari nationals can access the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation system from early 2023, facilitating easier travel for business visitors and tourists.

Work Hard Play Hard: Holiday bonus offered to hospitality recruits

Surgeons Quarter offers £2000 getaway to all new full time chefs and full time hospitality members

A FLAGBEARER for Scotland’s hospitality industry has cooked up one of the most exciting benefits packages available, in a bid to continue to grow its workforce beyond record levels.

Containing a holiday package worth £2000 plus a further £1000 in cash bonuses, the rewards await new full-time chefs and full-time hospitality team members joining one of Scotland’s busiest conference and events businesses.

To cut through the competitive jobs market, Surgeons Quarter is launching its ‘Work Hard Play Hard’ recruitment campaign in a bid to be the employer of choice in the sector.

The Living Wage accredited organisation will provide the cash perk in the form of a £500 signing on bonus, along with a £500 end of probation reward, alongside the holiday perk after completing 12 months service. In addition, existing staff in these roles are being offered comparable benefits.

As the commercial arm for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Surgeons Quarter has recently expanded to beyond 150 staff, with demand for its conference, events and hotel soaring as restrictions ease.

Surgeons Quarter, Cafe 1305 Scott Mitchell – Managing Director

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, said: “Our Work Hard Play Hard scheme offers extraordinary bonuses that we hope prospective recruits will jump at the chance of.

“Our jam-packed year of events has meant our requirement for staff has risen to new heights and we are striving to become the employer of choice as the sector booms.

“Like the majority of other hospitality firms, we faced the challenge of a skills shortage after the setbacks of the pandemic and Brexit. It is so exciting, now that we are back up and thriving, to be able to provide our recruits with this fantastic and rare opportunity.”

At the beginning of the year, Surgeons Quarter set a target of increasing staff numbers by 70% and has since seen its payroll top 150 people as demand for in-person meetings and events at its prestigious venues surpass pre-Covid levels.

Its latest recruitment scheme aims to continue building these numbers and the firm is still looking to hire hospitality team members and a number of chef roles, including senior sous, junior sous and banqueting chefs.

For full time chefs joining Surgeons Quarter the organisation is uniquely placed to provide six months on site residential accommodation to help people relocate their career to the city.

Scott added: “It was really important that we were not only providing our newest recruits with financial bonuses, but that our loyal and current staff members were also reaping the well-deserved rewards.

In addition to the ‘Work Hard Play Hard’ scheme Surgeons Quarter offers an enhanced employer contribution pension plan at 7.5%. The company also aims to improve mental health by providing access to employee assistance programme, 24/7, 365 days a year as well as complimentary use of their onsite SQ Gym.

Furthermore, the organisation provides access to discounted staff rates in hotels within the UK and globally plus a 30% staff discount is offered on food and beverage in all SQ outlets.  

“As we enter this busy year and experience the events sector spring back to life, we know that all of our employees will be working hard and we want them to know that this will be rightly recognised.”

Surgeons Quarter, Cafe 1305

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus. All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in patient outcomes worldwide.

In addition to its four historic event venues, Surgeons Quarter also manages the 129 bedroom Ten Hill Place Hotel, high-street café 1505 and Surgeons Quarter Travel Agency.

For anyone interested in joining the dynamic and award-winning Surgeons Quarter team, please email recruiment@surgeonsquarter.com

For more information on events, conferences and meeting space at Surgeons Quarter visit: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/conferences-meetings/

Civil Service job cuts: Union responds

NATIONAL STRIKE ‘VERY MUCH ON THE TABLE’

PCS has warned of the consequences for everyone who relies on public services of Boris Johnson’s plans to cut up to 91,000 civil service jobs to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

It is understood the prime minister wants to see civil service staffing levels cut to 2016 levels.

PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka condemned the plans and said: “Cuts have consequences.

Not just on those whose jobs are being sacrificed to throw red meat to the dwindling number of Conservative voters, but on everyone who relies on the services our members provide. 

“The government complains about longer delays for passports and driving licences at the same time as sacking the people who are working so hard to clear the backlog. 

“Let’s be clear, this is not about efficiency. This is about the prime minister trying to create a smokescreen to detract from his utter shambles of a government. 

“He has chosen to cause our cost-of-living crisis and is desperate to point the blame somewhere – and he has chosen to point the finger at hard working PCS members who kept the country running throughout the pandemic. 

“Our members will not be the scapegoats for a failing government. We have our conference in 10 days’ time: taking national strike action is very much on the table.” 

Supporting young people into work

Young people struggling to access employment will be supported by an additional £4 million through the Young Person’s Guarantee.

The funding will help young people impacted most by the pandemic, including those who are care-experienced and those experiencing mental health issues.

Three programmes will share the £4 million, which will connect people with employers, training and volunteering opportunities.

Minister for Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn said: “We want all of our young people to succeed, no matter their background or circumstances. Our aim is to ensure those seeking work have access to valuable support and opportunities for years to come.

“We know that many young people may face additional barriers to successfully gaining permanent work and the uncertainty caused by the pandemic combined with the cost of living crisis has made this more challenging. By connecting young people seeking work directly with employers we can offer them potentially life changing opportunities.

“This additional support is on top of £15 million already allocated to local authorities through the Young Person’s Guarantee for the current year and will build on our strong record of tackling youth unemployment.”

TUC: A May Day to Remember

May Day is unique. It’s the day in the year when we celebrate the bonds that bring us together as workers and trade unionists. And the fundamental message of May Day – friendship between workers of all backgrounds and nationalities – resonates more strongly than ever before (writes TUC General Secretary FRANCES O’GRADY).

This year, I’m proud to be speaking at the Chesterfield May Day rally, organised by the brilliant local trades council. And I’ll be arguing that even amidst these tough times, by sticking together and organising together, working people can win together.

There’s never been more need for that unity and solidarity. The brutal war in Ukraine casts a terrible shadow. Tech change is transforming our economy and the jobs we do. And the climate emergency demands we get our act together on a just transition to net zero, with good, green, unionised jobs.

In Britain and right around the world, workers also face an intensifying cost-of-living crisis. Energy bills are now rising 14 times faster than wages. One in three parents with pre-schoolers spend over a third of their pay on childcare. And last week, the ONS found that a quarter of people are already struggling to make ends meet – and worse is on the horizon.

That’s why the TUC is demanding an Emergency Budget to boost workers’ incomes. From a real living wage and fair pay agreements to a decent rise for public sector workers, there’s plenty we can do. And action on the cost-of-living must include a windfall tax on the excess profits of the energy giants, alongside the equalisation of capital gains and income tax. It’s time to raise tax on wealth, not workers.

As workers struggle, the government is all over the place. Despite promising to upgrade our rights, ministers look set to delay the Employment Bill yet again.

For some reason, the Chancellor seems more concerned about defending legalised tax avoidance, such as non dom status, than real wages, benefits and living standards. And, as Partygate rumbles on, the PM is focused on saving on his own skin: the next “work-related” event he attends could be his own leaving do.

The recent scandal at P&O underlines why we need change. The no-notice sacking of 800 skilled seafarers, and their replacement with cheap agency labour, is gangster capitalism at its worst. I’ve been proud to speak at P&O rallies and take to the airwaves to demand the reinstatement of those workers – alongside tough action against P&O and parent firm DP World.

The TUC will always support workers taking action against injustice. Across the economy, from our railways to our universities, we’re seeing an upsurge in strikes as workers say: enough is enough. With our membership growing for each of the past four years, we are a movement on the front foot.

And on Saturday 18 June, trade unionists will be gathering in London for our national demonstration: We Demand Better. We’ll be demanding action on the cost of living, a decent pay rise for all, and a New Deal for working people. So spread the word among your friends, colleagues and members – book those coaches and trains – and let’s make this a real show of strength and unity.

Have a wonderful May Day – and solidarity to all.

Today (Sunday) is International Workers’ Day, an annual celebration of working people.

After two hard years, when many workers faced extraordinary challenges due to the pandemic, they now find themselves in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

The TUC is using today’s celebration to highlight the vital role unions play in helping their members gain fair pay rises through collective bargaining.

Unionised workers are paid on average five per cent more than other similar workers. This is equivalent to £1,285 a year based on the average wage.

TUC Deputy General Secretary Paul Nowak, who will speak at today’s May Day rally in Trafalgar Square,said: “International workers day should be a time to celebrate. And working people can be proud of how they have brought the nation through the pandemic.

“But they are now in another crisis. The cost of living is racing ahead of their pay. And our Conservative government is doing nothing to help them.

“Working people need the power of government on their side. We need an emergency budget to give direct support with surging bills. And ministers should give working people and their unions stronger powers to negotiate fair pay deals.

“Join us at our national march and rally on 18 June to demand better for working people. Better pay, better rights and a better voice at work through unions. Only stronger unions can deliver a new deal for working people. Whether it’s winning in the workplace, or influencing government, it’s unions that make the difference

“If you’re not in a unionised workplace get together with your workmates and join a union. If there are enough of you, your employer is legally required to sit down and negotiate a fair pay rise with you. But if you’re not in a union, you have little bargaining power. And you lose out – big time.”

Join the march and rally in London, 18 June

Letters: Councils have vital role

Dear Editor

With the elections for Scotland’s local authorities happening on May 5th, it is important to emphasise the vital role councils play in helping blind and partally sighted people to live as independently and inclusively as possible.

People with a visual impairment are more likely to depend on services  from their local council, for information that’s readily available in alternative formats, public transport that’s accessible, streets and thoroughfares that allow people to walk safely and without obstacles, education that allows every child to reach their full potential, and employment that’s informed by a better understanding of what those with sight loss can do.

Around 178,000 people are currently living with a significant degree of sight loss in Scotland, of whom over 4,000 are children and young  people. Our ageing population and the increase in sight-theatening conditions such as diabetes means this number will, inevitably, grow.

Let’s make one positive legacy of the upheaval we’ve all been through a resolve to make sure we re-emerge as a society in which no one is left at the margins.

Our local authorities are absolutely key to this.

James Adams

Director, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland

12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh

Recruitment problems? Hire prison leavers to bolster workforce

With firms saying they are struggling to recruit in the face of record job vacancies, Nacro is calling for firms to hire those with criminal records to reduce reoffending and bolster the workforce.

Nacro chief executive Campbell Robb said: “We are overlooking one vital resource to address the country’s shortage of candidates: hiring prison leavers.

” Each month around 4,000 people leave prison, but only 14% are in employment six months later – yet employers who hire prison leavers often say prison leavers are harder working and more reliable workers.

“Alongside this, having work is a vital factor in reducing reoffending. Yet so many viable job candidates could be overlooked simply because they have a criminal record.

“The UK economy can no longer afford to ignore those leaving prison, we have a golden opportunity to reduce reoffending and staff shortages in one fell swoop.”

Project SEARCH creates opportunities for young people with disabilities

A programme which provides paths to employment for disabled young adults has returned, with new opportunities for internships in the Capital.

Edinburgh’s Project SEARCH has been helping people to gain vital employment skills and prepare for work since 2014 and is back after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic.

This year, 21 young people will be able to take forward placements, including roles with the City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian. For the first time, seven of these positions will be available with Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, which has signed up to become the programme’s first new employer in seven years.

Internships will be complemented with additional training and a ‘ready for work’ qualification from Edinburgh College.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Our goal is that 100% of the people who join Project SEARCH find employment before the end of the course or quickly after graduating.

“It’s an opportunity to support young people so that they can build confidence and learn the skills they’ll need to have fulfilling careers. But it’s also an opportunity for organisations to learn how they can become better employers, providing opportunities for young disabled people who may face additional barriers, and even more so with the pandemic.

“As employers learn more about the benefits to their organisation from becoming a disability confident employer, I hope opportunities for young disabled people will increase across the city.

“So, it’s fantastic to have private sector, as well as public sector, employers involved this year.”

Mandy Watt, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Vice Convener, added: “Some of the young people applying to Project SEARCH have graduated from school virtually – and now they face the prospect of not knowing how to take their first step into the world of work.

“Disability shouldn’t be a barrier to entering employment, but we know that all too often it is. Programmes like this are working to change things and open learning and employment opportunities for our young people, allowing them to work towards their own futures.

“The addition of Virgin Hotels to the list of employers on board is really welcome news. It sets a new standard for other organisations to consider signing up. As one of the city’s newest hotels, the partnership will create even more diverse roles for people to try out and learn from.”

Adam Gray, Regional Director of People, Scotland for Virgin Hotels said: “We are really looking forward to being the first hospitality organisation to take part in Project SEARCH in Edinburgh.

“Our new hotel opening creates lot of opportunity for employment in Edinburgh and we feel the young people from Project SEARCH are a great fit for Virgin. We pride ourselves on creating an open, diverse culture for our teammates where they can come to work and be their true self.

“We cannot wait to get started meeting the young people and creating meaningful placement opportunities for them.”

Rory Young, a Project SEARCH graduate who now works full time for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I joined Project SEARCH in August 2019 and completed three placements during my internship.

“The Project really helped me to gain a variety of office-based work experience and increase my confidence within a workplace and I was supported with job seeking and job skills.

“I’ve now working as a Licensing Support Assistant. I do a variety of tasks such as dealing with all mail, printing, and issuing licenses, updating licence records, and supporting colleagues who are managing applications. I’m really enjoying the job and have fitted in really well with all my colleagues.”

The Project SEARCH course has been designed to support young people to learn relevant and transferrable skills while working in a business environment. Participants will take part in three internships where they can learn new skills and improve their confidence, while gaining over 800 hours of work practice.

Everyone enrolled will be supported by an employment specialist and a learning and engagement officer and all study works towards an SQA Employability Award that demonstrates job readiness to employers. 

Types of internships available previously have included administration, reception, mailroom, catering, hospitality, librarian, portering, domestic assistant, stores department and clinical support work.

To be eligible for Edinburgh Project SEARCH you must: 

  • Be between 16 and 29 years old 
  • Want to secure a full-time job (16+ hours) 
  • Be based in the Lothians
  • Have a recognised disability 
  • Be willing to commit to the programme full-time for one year
  • Be able to travel alone or learn how to do this by the time the course starts. 

Tax cut worth up to £1,000 for half a million small businesses starts today

  • Tax cut worth up to £1,000 for eligible businesses announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Statement takes effect today
  • Increase in Employment Allowance from £4,000 to £5,000 benefits around 495,000 businesses – 30% of all UK firms
  • Takes the total number of firms not paying the Health and Social Care Levy to 670,000

Nearly half a million UK businesses will benefit from a tax cut worth up to £1,000 from today (6 April 2022).

The Employment Allowance has risen from £4,000 to £5,000 – meaning smaller firms will be able to claim up to £5,000 off their employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) bills.

Announced by the Chancellor at last month’s Spring Statement to reduce employment costs, the change takes an extra 50,000 firms out of paying NICs and the Health and Social Care Levy. This increases the total number of businesses not paying NICs and the Levy to 670,000.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This tax cut for half a million businesses will help them thrive and grow to help drive our economic recovery.

“It comes on top of a suite of wider tax cuts available to firms, including 50% business rates relief, a record fuel duty cut and the super-deduction, the largest two-year business tax cut in our history.”

This is the third time the government has increased the Employment Allowance since its introduction in 2014, demonstrating an enduring commitment to supporting smaller businesses. Firms will be able to employ four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without paying employer NICs at all.

94% of businesses benefitting from the £1,000 increase are small and micro businesses, and the sectors that will see the highest numbers of employers benefitting are the wholesale and retail sector (87,000); the professional, scientific and technical activities industry (63,000); and the construction sector (52,000).

Today’s Employment Allowance change is one of a number of measures on offer to spur business growth, including that:

  • Last week eligible high street businesses saw the start of a new 50% business rates relief worth almost £1.7 billion, subject to a £110,000 cash cap per business.
  • Businesses across the board are also benefitting from a freeze to the business rates multiplier, putting the brakes on bill increases and worth £4.6 billion over the next five years.
  • Businesses are already benefitting from our temporary twelve-month-long 5p cut to fuel duty.
  • Companies have one year left to make investments that benefit from the super-deduction, the largest two-year business tax cut in modern British history.
  • Our landmark Help to Grow programmes are supporting SMEs to adopt productivity enhancing software and to get mini-MBAs.
  • We will ensure that our tax regime for innovation is globally competitive and properly incentivises higher business investment in R&D, with further plans to be set out in the Autumn.

Michelle Ovens CBE, founder, Small Business Britain, said: “The Chancellor’s move to increase the employment allowance is welcome, and will certainty play a role in helping those businesses with employees deal with the huge cost-of-living challenges they are currently facing.

“In particular, it is good to see the immediacy of this rise in employment allowance, which will go towards helping businesses asap.”

Martin McTague, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: ““The increase in the Employment Allowance helps small firms do what they do best, creating and sustaining jobs.

“This was FSB’s ‘hero ask’ at the Spring Statement, and we have hugely valued the time taken by Treasury officials to work with us on the positive impact this will have not just on work opportunities, but also training and investment.

“The Chancellor has now raised the Allowance twice since his appointment, stepping up for small businesses.”

Lee Harris-Hamer, from White Horse cleaning services based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said: “As a growing company, we appreciate the opportunity to reduce our annual NI liability because this helps us to invest the savings in other areas like staff training and further growth.

“Staff are our key asset and we want to be able to continue recruiting and offering more employment opportunities locally. Government has supported us with the change and we are proud to be members of FSB who championed the increase.”

Jo Bevilacqua, owner of Serenity Loves hair and beauty salon, Peterborough: “This rise in the employment allowance offers welcome breathing space for my small business and others like us across the country.

“In an age where we are all facing increasing costs from all angles and every penny counts, this will help ease some pressure, allowing us to invest more in staff – whether it is increasing salaries or offering training.”

Employment support to improve lives

Further funding to provide a route out of poverty

Employability services to help those most at risk of long-term unemployment will receive up to £113 million of funding.

To deliver the ambitions set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation and the Child Poverty Delivery Plan, tailored services based on local needs will ensure the right help is given to ensure people are supported to move towards and into work.

The No One Left Behind approach – which includes the Young Person’s Guarantee – sees services funded through Local Employability Partnerships (LEPs) bringing together local government, Skills Development Scotland, Department for Work and Pensions, colleges, the third sector and other partners to provide support that meets both individual and labour market needs in each area. This is crucial to achieving shared aims around tackling poverty and inequalities.

The National Strategy for Economic Transformation aims to build a fairer and more equal society by ensuring economic transformation which tackles inequality, drives up working standards and improves pay. It also outlines how partnership working can support people into jobs by tackling labour market inequalities and unlocking Scotland’s economic potential.

Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Redesigning services with the user in mind is part of the bold steps we’re taking to achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

“If delivering on our objectives involves change to get a better outcome for the people of Scotland, we won’t duck from that challenge.

“We have always been clear that No One Left Behind places people at the centre of employability services and support, to give them help tailored to their specific needs. I’m pleased that in 2022/23 we are able to invest up to £113 million to support those at risk of long-term unemployment.

“This investment will build on existing support to deliver more localised help around employability and skills to people most disadvantaged in the labour market. It will also align more closely with other local services in housing, justice, advice, and health.”

Read about the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan here.