Jobs up but wages fall, claims job index
Job advertisements in the UK increased 1% in May, but average salaries fell 3% to £31,871, according to the Reed Job Index. Despite rising demand across charity, marketing, and public sector roles, wage growth remained stagnant or declined.
Government budget cuts will have negative effect on private sector
Government budget cuts totaling £6bn, including a civil service recruitment freeze, will trigger negative effects on the private sector and risk rising unemployment, according to HR and trade union leaders. The cuts are expected to reduce public sector employment by 50,000 this year, impacting private contractors and reducing overall demand for labor across the economy.
We need a fresh approach – better benefits on a budget
Discover how to retain top talent through creative benefits solutions when budget constraints limit pay raises. This feature explores practical strategies for improving employee benefits packages while maintaining fiscal responsibility and employee satisfaction.
Containing labour costs key priority for business
Most UK employers are prioritizing containing labour costs and limiting pay rises this year, with only 3% planning above-inflation increases. However, bosses recognize they must improve staff engagement and communication to retain employees after a difficult recession year.
Is there reward after recession?
As UK organizations emerge from recession following widespread salary freezes, research reveals mixed implementation and growing employee concerns about pay fairness. While over half of organizations froze salaries during the downturn, some continued selective pay increases for high performers, creating perception of unfairness that threatens employee morale and retention.
Migration cap ‘needs consultation’ says CIPD
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development calls for employer consultation on the government’s proposed migration cap, warning it could hinder hiring during economic recovery. The HR body also welcomes scrapping National Insurance increases and praising plans to simplify welfare-to-work programs and abolish default retirement ages.
‘Dire’ job figures signpost tough times ahead
UK unemployment rose to 2.51 million in March, the highest level since 1994, with youth joblessness and economic inactivity reaching record levels. The HR sector warns the new government must act decisively to address the “dire” labour market conditions and restore full employment.
Highest level of adults engaged in learning for a decade
Adult participation in education and training has reached its highest level in a decade, with 43% of UK adults currently engaged in learning or having done so in the past three years, according to a survey by TNS Omnibus and NIACE. The economic downturn has driven this increase, with notable improvements among lower-income groups for the first time in 20 years.
The leadership required to forge a coalition government
Forging an effective coalition government requires political leaders to move beyond advocacy and adversarial debate toward genuine collaboration and inquiry. Leaders must find common ground, build relationships, and skillfully manage conflict to create solutions that serve the public interest.
New government must provide clear plan for business growth
The British Chambers of Commerce has issued a 12-point plan demanding the incoming government prove its business credentials within 90 days, including scrapping planned National Insurance increases, implementing a regulatory review, and prioritizing infrastructure. The BCC warns that failure to deliver this growth plan will result in a slower or non-existent economic recovery.
Letter to an ex-MP – what next for the honourable members?
An executive recruiter humorously advises a former MP on career options after losing her parliamentary seat, suggesting unconventional paths from adult entertainment to financial services, highlighting the challenges of life beyond Westminster.
Cutting the deficit: off-shoring could be the answer
A policy paper recommends offshoring thousands of civil servant jobs in HR, finance, and procurement to cut the UK’s public deficit by over £25 billion annually while protecting frontline services. Consultants argue that outsourcing back-office functions could save individual government departments millions per year without compromising data security or critical operations.
Public sector pay freezes ‘unsustainable’
A new study warns that public sector pay freezes will become unsustainable as private sector wages and inflation rise. With median pay increases now reaching 2% across settlements and fewer companies implementing freezes, any post-election government may struggle to maintain public sector pay restraint.
Election Live: Expert Panellists
Join expert panellists from business, tax, accounting, and ecommerce sectors as they provide live commentary on tonight’s general election results. The panel includes business leaders, accountants, and entrepreneurs offering insights across small business, taxation, and commerce.
Next government must curb public sector job cuts
A recruitment industry body warns the incoming government must balance job growth with spending cuts to avoid a public sector recession, as hiring rates slip from 12-year highs. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s data shows permanent placements declining in April while wage growth accelerates to levels unseen since 2008.
Compare the policies: employment law implications
The major UK political parties propose significant changes to employment law, with differing approaches to family-friendly policies, equal pay measures, and regulatory reform. The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Labour each outline distinct commitments to extend parental leave, flexible working rights, and pay equality initiatives ahead of the General Election.
Election fever: follow it live here
Follow live coverage of the 2010 UK general election results on 7 May, including expert analysis and real-time Twitter updates. Share your thoughts as one of the closest elections in decades unfolds.
Election 2010: Are you voting for flexibility?
All three major political parties are championing flexible working in the 2010 election, citing employee and economic benefits. However, businesses implementing these schemes face challenges around management control and productivity, requiring proper systems and reporting to succeed.
Election 2010: Are the unemployment policies redundant?
Unemployment policy heavily influences voter decisions in the 2010 election, with 69% of jobseekers saying it would affect their vote. However, three-quarters are unhappy with Labour’s efforts, and 68% remain unaware of other parties’ employment proposals despite UK joblessness reaching 2.5 million.
Recession still biting, warns CMI
The recession continues to impact eight out of ten UK employers, with falling staff morale and rising job insecurity among senior managers. Despite official economic recovery, 41% of executives report severe business disruption, while confidence in future employment and insolvencies remains at record lows.
