DWP confirms that some smaller jobcentres will merge with larger ones, and others will be co-located within local government premises.



Official figures released today (24 January 2018) show that the employment rate is at a joint record high of 75.3%, with a record 32.2 million people in work.

This is a rise of 415,000 compared to last year’s figures.

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, also show that unemployment is at its lowest level since 1975.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey, said:

We had a record-breaking 2017 for employment, and I’m delighted to see this trend continue as we enter the new year.

The number of people in work is at an all-time high and the unemployment rate has not been this low for over 40 years.

At this time of year, straight after Christmas, people might be feeling a squeeze on their finances. We’re determined to help people keep more of what they earn.

That’s why we’ve increased the National Living Wage, introduced Universal Credit to offer greater flexibility and taken millions of people out of income tax altogether by raising the tax-free personal allowance.

In 2017, at least 10 employment records were broken. The employment rate and the number of people in work, the number of women in work and black and minority ethnic employment all reached record highs during the year.

Today’s employment figures also show:

there are a record 810,000 vacancies in the economy at any one time
the number of people in employment has increased by over 3 million since 2010
the UK has the third highest employment rate in the G7
the number of workers aged 50 plus has reached a record 10 million
youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010
Separate figures also released today show there are 700,000 people claiming Universal Credit as the rollout of the new benefit continues, with 42% in employment.

They don't give the figures for those in 'Under Employment', the many on Zero Hours contacts who don't get enough work.

For the period April to June 2017 in which there were 883,000 people in employment on a zero-hour contract (2.8% of people in employment) ons figures.





Don't listen to Jeremy he is a bit shifty.

If this is the "El Dorado" of Tory achievement, then I am wholly unimpressed.
The NHS cracking under pressure, armed forces personnel nearly halved and the police not responding to many "low-level" crimes.
You would have thought that this level of employment would have meant extra tax receipts and a lower benefits bill and so a treasury awash with cash.

Not just us, Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand also have them, a necessary "evil" since we don't have thousands and thousand employed in the factories any longer.

Originally Posted by paulollie

Not just us, Australia, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand also have them, a necessary "evil" since we don't have thousands and thousand employed in the factories any longer.

They aren't necessary at all. Employees should be guaranteed a minimum number of hours for which they will be paid.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

They aren't necessary at all. Employees should be guaranteed a minimum number of hours for which they will be paid.

How can you "Guarantee" something in this day and age. If Hotels for example cannot "Guarantee" to fill rooms "All" year round, how can you expect an employer to "Guarantee" any number of hours.

I'm self employed, ok slightly different, but I cannot "guarantee" what I work day to day with weather etc it can be 0 or 14 hours.

Originally Posted by local

For the period April to June 2017 in which there were 883,000 people in employment on a zero-hour contract (2.8% of people in employment) ons figures.





Don't listen to Jeremy he is a bit shifty.

On top of that must be added others who do have a contract but still don't have enough hours, but they won't ever tell us those numbers.

Originally Posted by birdbath

If this is the "El Dorado" of Tory achievement, then I am wholly unimpressed.
The NHS cracking under pressure, armed forces personnel nearly halved and the police not responding to many "low-level" crimes.
You would have thought that this level of employment would have meant extra tax receipts and a lower benefits bill and so a treasury awash with cash.

We all get figures and facts from various sources so have a look at this, I know the BBC but you have start somewhere.

One interesting fact I've pulled it out

"In 2010, the income tax personal allowance - the amount you are allowed to earn before paying any income tax - was £6,475. This year it is £11,500, having risen considerably faster than inflation"

So yes we now have 30.3 million people paying tax but many are now exempt from paying any at all, can't have it all ways.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40117521

A business should plan for the expected or anticipated workload and give employees fixed hour contracts based on that. If there's more demand than expected pay them overtime. If there's less demand than expected then it's a cost the business not the employee should bear.

Contracts can be short term so they can be altered in line with fluctuations in demand at the end of each contract. You can have part time permanent contracts, short fixed term contracts or annualised hours.

What you shouldn't have is people on zero hours contracts not knowing how much income they'll have week to week, in some cases unable to work elsewhere because they need to be available.

Zero hours contracts are often just an excuse for poor business planning. Seems everyone wants to run a business these days with little concept of how to run one or how to employ people and expect their employees to bear the risk of fluctuations in demand.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

A business should plan for the expected or anticipated workload and give employees fixed hour contracts based on that. If there's more demand than expected pay them overtime. If there's less demand than expected then it's a cost the business not the employee should bear.

Contracts can be short term so they can be altered in line with fluctuations in demand at the end of each contract. You can have part time permanent contracts, short fixed term contracts or annualised hours.

What you shouldn't have is people on zero hours contracts not knowing how much income they'll have week to week, in some cases unable to work elsewhere because they need to be available.

Zero hours contracts are often just an excuse for poor business planning. Seems everyone wants to run a business these days with little concept of how to run one or how to employ people and expect their employees to bear the risk of fluctuations in demand.

With views like that perhaps you should be a Government adviser???? I plan my Business for a full year ahead sometimes things don't always work out to a plan though, do they. Hence all those 2, 5, or 10 year plans half the time not worth the paper they are drafted on. Have a look at some of the reforms France is trying to push through to meet a Global new order.

The Old adage of a Job, contract, hours or whatever for "Life" as you seem to allude to has gone!!

But then Socialism never likes the truth does it?

Originally Posted by paulollie

With views like that perhaps you should be a Government adviser???? I plan my Business for a full year ahead sometimes things don't always work out to a plan though, do they. Hence all those 2, 5, or 10 year plans half the time not worth the paper they are drafted on. Have a look at some of the reforms France is trying to push through to meet a Global new order.

The Old adage of a Job, contract, hours or whatever for "Life" as you seem to allude to has gone!!

But then Socialism never likes the truth does it?

I've.specifically referred to short term contracts not jobs for life.

Originally Posted by salus.populi

I've.specifically referred to short term contracts not jobs for life.

I was a recruitment manager ten years ago and dealt with every type of contract you can name. And when a employer says there is no demand then we didn't supply, Market Forces I'm afraid

Originally Posted by paulollie

We all get figures and facts from various sources so have a look at this, I know the BBC but you have start somewhere.

One interesting fact I've pulled it out

"In 2010, the income tax personal allowance - the amount you are allowed to earn before paying any income tax - was £6,475. This year it is £11,500, having risen considerably faster than inflation"

So yes we now have 30.3 million people paying tax but many are now exempt from paying any at all, can't have it all ways.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40117521

Well this govt have made no secret of wanting a reputation of tax-cutting.
As you say "...can't have it all ways" It's either tax and spend or cut and ruin.
Yer pays yer money (or not) and takes yer choice.

Absolutely right,but then its pointless arguing with "Salus obstet"

Originally Posted by paulollie

With views like that perhaps you should be a Government adviser???? I plan my Business for a full year ahead sometimes things don't always work out to a plan though, do they. Hence all those 2, 5, or 10 year plans half the time not worth the paper they are drafted on. Have a look at some of the reforms France is trying to push through to meet a Global new order.

The Old adage of a Job, contract, hours or whatever for "Life" as you seem to allude to has gone!!

But then Socialism never likes the truth does it?