Tag: UK Government

Wages rising at fastest rate in a decade

The UK’s employment rate is a joint-record 75.8%, rising by 3.55 million since 2010, says the DWP.

Employment rate remains high at 75.8%

 

UK wages are increasing at their joint-fastest rate in a decade, with unemployment remaining low at 4 per cent. The figures, published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed that wages outpaced inflation for the eleventh month in a row.

Unemployment rate remains low at 4%

 

The new figures confirmed that 2018 was a year of “widespread employment opportunity” showing:

  • a record high employment rate for people from ethnic minority backgrounds of 66.2%
  • 145,000 more disabled people found work since last year, an overall increase of 930,000 in the last 5 years
  • more women are in the workplace than ever before, 15.31 million. The female employment rate is also a record – 71.4%

Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma said: “While the global economy is facing many challenges, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, these figures show the underlying resilience of our jobs market – once again delivering record employment levels.

“Our pro-business policies mean we have started the new year with a strong labour market, with wages outpacing inflation for the eleventh month in a row, and more people in work than ever before. It’s also excellent news that we see the rate of women in employment at a record high.

“Of course, we need to ensure that we continue to provide one-to-one support for anyone whose jobs may be at risk, or who might be looking to move to a new role.”

The DWP press statement says government is helping even more people benefit from a ‘well-paid job’ by:

  • backing businesses to create good jobs with our modern Industrial Strategy, while ensuring they play by the rules, so we are closing tax loopholes, strengthening workers’ rights, and tightening the rules big businesses must follow
  • investing in the infrastructure, training and apprenticeships we need for our future, with public investment at the highest sustained level in 40 years
  • introducing Universal Credit which is helping people move into work faster and stay in it longer, while recent

Westminster Budget measures mean 2.4 million families will keep up to an extra £630 a year of what they earn:

  • helping people stay in work longer with our Fuller Working Lives strategy, which supports employers to recruit, re-train and retain older workers
  • tackling inequalities in employment highlighted by the Race Disparity Audit, through targeted support in 20 areas around the country and £90 million announced by the Prime Minister to help young people.

Clearly, we’ve never had it so good. That’s right, isn’t it?

David Mundell celebrates LGBT History Month

Scottish Secretary David Mundell will host a reception in Edinburgh to mark LGBT History Month this week. Thursday’s event will celebrate the work of Scottish LGBT campaigners and organisations who support the LGBT community in Scotland. Continue reading David Mundell celebrates LGBT History Month

As we see it: the two different sides of Universal Credit

Did you know that the DWP has created a website dedicated specifically to Universal Credit? The site is designed to help claimants and supporters negotiate their way through the often complex and confusing benefit labyrinth. Continue reading As we see it: the two different sides of Universal Credit

Mundell: “Devolution is working well”

The UK Government today handed over the last of the powers which the Scotland Act 2016 transfers to the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell welcomed the significant landmark which means Holyrood can now legislate in every area where the Scotland Act 2016 has given it power to do so – reinforcing its standing as ‘one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world’. Continue reading Mundell: “Devolution is working well”

From Scotland to Canada: Burns night boost for haggis exports

Scots around the world celebrate Burns Night

Tonight, Scots in Canada will be celebrating Burns Night with a hearty serving of haggis, thanks to the rise in exports from Scotland’s largest producer of the iconic meat pudding. Continue reading From Scotland to Canada: Burns night boost for haggis exports

Brock on Brexit vote: defeat for ‘deal that pleases no-one’

Following last night’s dramatic ‘meaningful vote’ at Westminster, in which the UK Government’s Brexit deal was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs, Edinburgh North and Leith MP Deidre Brock said: “This is a definitive moment in the long and shambolic process of Brexit. It’s been painful watching this hapless government stumble on regardless of the mess it has created, so I’m pleased that finally parliament has had a chance to say ‘no’ to a deal that pleases no-one.

“I could not vote for something which would destroy jobs, threaten food and medicine supplies, damage the NHS and force EU citizens to register to stay in their own homes. Scotland voted resoundingly to remain in the EU, by 78 per cent in Edinburgh North and Leith, and our voices must be heard. I’ll keep fighting tooth and nail to protect our rights as EU citizens”

What happens next?

The Brexit deal negotiated by Mrs May is basically in tatters and it’s extremely unlikely anyhting can be salvaged from it.

Following the humiliating defeat the Tory government now faces a vote of no confidence, but even in in the febrile atmosphere of the Palace of Westminster it’s unlikely that turkeys will vote for Christmas and Mrs May’s government is likely to survive – for the timebeing at least.

Assuming she survives tonight’s No Confidence vote, Mrs May must try to come up with a Plan B to resolve the Brexit impasse – something she has clearly been unable to produce over many months of negotiations … and she will be expected to deliver this within three days!

Perhaps, given the gravity of the situation, Mrs May will belatedly invite opposition leaders to participate in a ‘crisis cabinet’ to deliver on the referendum result.  It’s very late in the day and the Brexit clock is inexorably ticking down, but the UK’s future remains in the hands of our politicians for now.

And if they cannot come up with a solution … a No Deal exit or another referendum, anyone?