Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 August 2015
Tynedale Work Clubs really making a difference
Two weeks ago I went to Number 28 in the East End of Hexham and met with some of the team who are helping people locally find employment through work clubs. Whilst the Job Centre Plus office are very good there is much to be said for the personal touch and local assistance in Haltwhistle, Hexham, Bellingham and Prudhoe that The Work Clubs provide. It is a free chat, some mentoring and assistance and a coffee from someone who is there to help. Have a read below and go along if you can.
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
North East Unemployment figures are more proof the Long Term Economic Plan is working
The latest stats on unemployment rates for the quarter Nov-Jan 2015 have just been released this week and they contain more excellent economic news for the North East. The headline stats are:
- employment in the North East is now at its highest ever level
- unemployment rate in the North East fell by 1.4% on the quarter, which is the largest percentage fall of any region/country in the UK
- the fall in the unemployment rate in the North East was almost five times the national average percentage fall of 0.3%
- unemployment in the North East was 123,000 a year ago and has now fallen to 99,000—a percentage fall on the year of 17.6%
- Private Sector employment is up 60,000 in the North East since 2010
- 47,000 more people in employment in the North east than in May 2010
- 27,000 more businesses in the North East than in May 2010
- 143,780 apprenticeships started in the North east since May 2010
- 119,000 people out of income tax altogether since May 2010
- Tax threshold up from £6500 to £10,600 from 2010= tax cut for every working for millions and especially the low paid.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
My PMQ today
Is
the PM aware that the region with :
- the most technology start-ups [300] outside of London,
- and fastest rate of growth in private sector business nationally over the last quarter
...is ….. the North East of England..... and does he agree with me that only by sticking with our long term economic plan can we secure the future for all regions of the United Kingdom?
The graph below shows the regional PMI Output
Indexes for the UK. An average of the latest three months is used. All 12 UK regions registered an increase in private sector
business activity on average over the third quarter of 2014. The fastest rate
of growth was seen in the North East, while Scotland registered the slowest
expansion: PMI = Purchasing Managers Index [Lloyds Bank]
- the most technology start-ups [300] outside of London,
- and fastest rate of growth in private sector business nationally over the last quarter
...is ….. the North East of England..... and does he agree with me that only by sticking with our long term economic plan can we secure the future for all regions of the United Kingdom?
Fact checker:
Technology start ups:
http://www.britishchambers.org.uk/policy-maker/blog/north-east-businesses-are-busting-the-%E2%80%98only-manufacturing%E2%80%99-myth.html
Private Sector Growth by
PMI Output
The graph below shows the regional PMI Output
Indexes for the UK. An average of the latest three months is used. All 12 UK regions registered an increase in private sector
business activity on average over the third quarter of 2014. The fastest rate
of growth was seen in the North East, while Scotland registered the slowest
expansion: PMI = Purchasing Managers Index [Lloyds Bank]
And ….Worth making the point that we are also the region
with the highest rise in the value of its exports
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
"overall the rise in employment shows the region is growing its economy"
The Journal's words not mine. Before you doubt the recovery read Adrian Pearson's excellent article in todays paper on the North East economy
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/how-north-east-hit-back-7250509
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/how-north-east-hit-back-7250509
Fastest rise in jobs on record. Long Term Economic Plan is working.
Employment grew by 345,000 over the quarter - that's the strongest growth in
quarterly employment on record. Most of the growth was in full time jobs. More detail from BBC here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27791749
Don't throw it away by giving the keys back 2 Labour
Don't throw it away by giving the keys back 2 Labour
Monday, 12 May 2014
The Guardian are way wrong about the North East - and here is why
A muppet journalist from the Guardian has stated that the North East is teetering on the brink of becoming the new Detroit - ie a place devoid of character, growth, prosperity, identity, entrepreneurial spirit, new industry, and so much more. As usual with most Guardian claptrap he is way wrong. He did not choose to speak to me, but then again I am not surprised. He set out with an agenda, but as always on this blog we try to be fair so here is his piece. Make of it what you will:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/10/north-east-avoid-becoming-britains-detroit
I would make a number of comments to rebut this rubbish:
On jobs, growth it is my strong belief that our better days lie ahead:
- the North East is a manufacturing hub and the only region that is a net exporter in this country
- we are developing specific specialisms in sectors that are genuinely transforming the economy - whether it is subsea technology, or our burgeoning IT sector that sees Accenture and Hewlett Packard based in the North East, and running the IT for everything from the Rural Payments Agency to parts of the Universal Credit Roll out.
- no one who was at the Dynamo conference 10 days ago in Newcastle could have mistaken the entrepreneurial spirit that was there; our IT sector is genuinely transforming the region, albeit we do need a IT Technical College. I chaired a seminar on regional growth that was buzzing with ideas and expectation.
- our job figures are improving across the board, with every parliamentary seat seeing less JSA claimants than before, more people in work, and real apprenticeships doubling.
- In my area of Northumberland I opened the Egger Engineering Academy last autumn and have seen its effect in creating specialist engineering jobs.
- on Wednesday I will be welcoming the Energi Coast companies and the Subsea sector to Westminster: they are optimistic and hiring. I doubt the Guardian will come to such a good news event or do a story, but one lives in hope.
On jobs, growth and our regions future then I urge you to read the Adonis Report or delve into the North East Chamber of Commerce's 50 Reasons why the North East is the place to do business: its report is here: http://www.necc.co.uk/50greatreasonstoinvest/1390-50-great-reasons-to-do-business-in-the-north-east-infographic
I could go on about the everything from our stunning landscape, to the community spirit that exists like nowhere else in the country. Things are not perfect and there is a long way to go but I am very optimistic about the North East's future.
I will await the chance of a rebuttal piece from the Guardian but will lay good odds that they will not be offering.
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/10/north-east-avoid-becoming-britains-detroit
I would make a number of comments to rebut this rubbish:
On jobs, growth it is my strong belief that our better days lie ahead:
- the North East is a manufacturing hub and the only region that is a net exporter in this country
- we are developing specific specialisms in sectors that are genuinely transforming the economy - whether it is subsea technology, or our burgeoning IT sector that sees Accenture and Hewlett Packard based in the North East, and running the IT for everything from the Rural Payments Agency to parts of the Universal Credit Roll out.
- no one who was at the Dynamo conference 10 days ago in Newcastle could have mistaken the entrepreneurial spirit that was there; our IT sector is genuinely transforming the region, albeit we do need a IT Technical College. I chaired a seminar on regional growth that was buzzing with ideas and expectation.
- our job figures are improving across the board, with every parliamentary seat seeing less JSA claimants than before, more people in work, and real apprenticeships doubling.
- In my area of Northumberland I opened the Egger Engineering Academy last autumn and have seen its effect in creating specialist engineering jobs.
- on Wednesday I will be welcoming the Energi Coast companies and the Subsea sector to Westminster: they are optimistic and hiring. I doubt the Guardian will come to such a good news event or do a story, but one lives in hope.
On jobs, growth and our regions future then I urge you to read the Adonis Report or delve into the North East Chamber of Commerce's 50 Reasons why the North East is the place to do business: its report is here: http://www.necc.co.uk/50greatreasonstoinvest/1390-50-great-reasons-to-do-business-in-the-north-east-infographic
I could go on about the everything from our stunning landscape, to the community spirit that exists like nowhere else in the country. Things are not perfect and there is a long way to go but I am very optimistic about the North East's future.
I will await the chance of a rebuttal piece from the Guardian but will lay good odds that they will not be offering.
Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Employment up and claimant count down as Jobs outlook improves in North East
It is worth studying the stats and reaction to the employment numbers announced late last week - they are genuinely good news for the North East and show that the economy is heading in the right direction.
• Employment in the North East stands at 1,206,000 – a rise of 31,000 over the quarter and 40,000 over the year.
• North East unemployment stands at 124,000 – a decrease of 10,000 over the quarter and 7,000 over the year.
• The claimant count stands at 68,400 or 5.5% in the North East (down 1,600), compared to 3.4% nationally.
Don't take my word for it: the North East Chamber of Commerce described how the jobs figures "in the North East are continuing to improve and the annual rise in the employment figure is particularly eye catching. Across all measures the North East jobs market is improving in health and while we still need to catch up with other regions we shouldn't look past the real progress that is being made."
They added that
"Businesses in the North East are in bullish mood, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which is great news. However, the rise in employment does not come without challenges, not least of all the fact that good staff will be in shorter supply and this in turn will place pressures upon wage costs. Evidence of this is already coming through our Quarterly Economic Survey and the challenge now is to ensure that it does not place a brake upon future growth."
Fuller details in the Journal which reported the Jobs Minister's visit here last week:
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/falling-north-east-unemployment-figures-7000343
• Employment in the North East stands at 1,206,000 – a rise of 31,000 over the quarter and 40,000 over the year.
• North East unemployment stands at 124,000 – a decrease of 10,000 over the quarter and 7,000 over the year.
• The claimant count stands at 68,400 or 5.5% in the North East (down 1,600), compared to 3.4% nationally.
Don't take my word for it: the North East Chamber of Commerce described how the jobs figures "in the North East are continuing to improve and the annual rise in the employment figure is particularly eye catching. Across all measures the North East jobs market is improving in health and while we still need to catch up with other regions we shouldn't look past the real progress that is being made."
They added that
"Businesses in the North East are in bullish mood, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which is great news. However, the rise in employment does not come without challenges, not least of all the fact that good staff will be in shorter supply and this in turn will place pressures upon wage costs. Evidence of this is already coming through our Quarterly Economic Survey and the challenge now is to ensure that it does not place a brake upon future growth."
Fuller details in the Journal which reported the Jobs Minister's visit here last week:
http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/falling-north-east-unemployment-figures-7000343
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