Jobs News

[Lex]

Good news for Rugby:

http://www.therugbyobserver.co.uk/2014/11/05/news-Expansion-of-Lutterworth-logistics-park-could-create-thousands-of-jobs-120193.html


Some bad, and some potentially bed news, for Coventry:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-29918499

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-mp-voices-concerns-over-8055937

[rebbonk]

That one about Walkers has tickled me. For the past few months I've been berating them because of their lousy packaging. It's cost them a small fortune in vouchers to me. I can't actually remember the last time I paid full price for Walkers crisps. The silly thing is, they're no nearer to solving their problems and they're actively obstructing me talking to their quality director. Even sillier, I think I know what's causing their issue!

[Lex]

140 jobs to go at Rolls Royce in antsy: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-30439219

[rebbonk]

Ansty has been on borrowed time for years. I suspect that this latest blow will be its final call.

There are some very skilled people and a lot of expert knowledge within the Rolls Royce workforce and I sincerely hope Rolls Royce won't regret taking a short term view. Once the skills and knowledge are gone, you can't easily replace them, as the motor industry found to its cost.

[Lex]

Employment's definitely heading in the right direction: http://www.warwickcourier.co.uk/news/regional/unemployment-falls-by-14-000-1-6477961

[rebbonk]

I think we need to be careful here. Those figures relate to people currently claiming job seekers allowance. That will exclude those currently on sanctions, on zero hours contracts, and only employed part-time. It will also exclude those that have transferred to self employed status, whether they are making a living wage or not.

When it comes to unemployment I tend to rely more on my own eyes rather than government massaged figures. I will bet the true figure for unemployment is far higher, but no government will dare to tell the truth.

[Lex]

Unemployment in C&W went up last month - hopefully just a blip: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-warwickshire-sees-rise-number-8676781

[rebbonk]

The real underlying trend isn't good. Remember that these figures are based on those claiming Job Seekers Allowance. Many have been 'sanctioned' or forced off claiming JSA over recent months (zero hour contracts, job fayre etc.) the fact that locally we're seeing an increase really isn't good news to my mind.

[Lex]

Less unemployment in C&W, but, as you say Rebbonk, the figures don't show the increases in employment.http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/unemployment-coventry-warwickshire-lowest-30-9410646

[Lex]

More neutral, than good or bad news: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/unemployment-figures-fall-coventry-warwickshire-9840486

[rebbonk]

I really don't believe it Lex. These figures are based on people claiming JSA.

People are deliberately sanctioned, forced into going self employed or pushed onto zero hour contracts to make things look better than they are.

Sad when you can't trust government statistics!

[Lex]

Yeah, these statistics are often touted as good, but there's a lot of bad news lurking in the background.

[Lex]

Unemployment falls again. What this report doesn't mention (but the BBC does) is that 320,000-odd of new jobs in the economy are taken up by prople from the EU.

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/unemployment-falls-again-coventry-warwickshire-10609835

[rebbonk]

It's all smoke and mirrors.

I know people who just can't get a job, despite wanting one.

[Lex]

Very low unemployment in Stratford: http://stratfordobserver.co.uk/news/unemployment-rates-stratford-lowest-uk/

However, I have a niggling worry in the back of my head that the economy's in for a rough patch.

[rebbonk]

Looking at the last quarter's figures across a range of industries I'd hazard a guess that you're right Lex.

I think we might also see a house price collapse and everything that goes with it before much longer. - Gidiot has changed tax rules on buy to let, landlords are selling: a glut of properties on the market leads to a downward spiral. How steep that spiral will be I don't know, but all the signs are there.

[Lex]

Some jobs to go in Nuneaton. The rent rise proposed by the landlord has lost him his tenant: http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Jobs-risk-warehouse-Nuneaton/story-28798623-detail/story.html

[rebbonk]

Unless he has another lined up, it's rather short-sighted.

[Lex]

Miked news on the jobs front; 1 set of numbers doesn't make a trend, though: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/number-unemployed-coventry-falls-first-11214756

[rebbonk]

As I've said before, we need to be so very careful taking these figures at face value. There are contrary indications in other figures that have been recently presented.

My own view is to believe my own eyes, and I'm not seeing any improvement in either employment or future prospects.

[Lex]

Good news, but I've been hearing on a lot of news reports that the economy's starting to look a bit shakey: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/unemployment-falls-again-coventry-warwickshire-11353021

[rebbonk]

There is no doubt that the economy is weakening. How much is due to uncertainty over the coming referendum is unclear. But the underlying trend (construction, manufacturing, etc.) according to recent Reuters reports is downwards as are household finances.

I think we may be in for a tough time, whichever way the vote goes.

[Lex]

I've been starting to think the same - the UK's economy will go through a rough patch whatever happens. I'm leaning towards leaving the EU partly (there's other reasons too) because leaving might be slightly less painful than staying.

[rebbonk]

I'm in the out camp, but recognise it's a step into uncertainty. Staying is a 'safer' option in as much as we know what we'll get. However, if we do vote to stay, I believe the EU will find ways of punishing us because we had the audacity to challenge its supreme authority.

Germany has a massive problem with migrants at the moment (self made thanks to Merkel) and they are rapidly running out of money. That in turn will mean other states sharing the burden, both by way of finances and taking bodies. So far the Eastern Countries have told Brussels to 'do one' but they are now being threatened with sanctions.

Merkel went out on a limb and invited all these migrants, Merkel tore up the Dublin agreement as regards migrant registration, Merkel is now ordering other EU states to do as they are told or face punishment. - Sounds rather familiar to me, and that is one of the reasons I shall be voting out. All previous attempts at uniting Europe have failed, the present one will too.

[Lex]

Part of DCS Europe is on the move; at least it's somewhere fairly local: http://www.stratford-herald.com/55412-stratford-firm-partly-relocates-into-banbury.html

[Lex]

Barclays Bank is laying people off in Coventry. I've heard "strategic decision" to improve "customer service" and "efficiency" before, and the exact opposite has happened: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-37421508

[rebbonk]

Companies rarely improve customer service by laying staff off! Hopefully, they will feel a customer backlash very quickly.

[Lex]

There'll probably be the usual grumbling, then the whole thing will be forgotten about. Sadly, I doubt Barclays will give 2 hoots - too busy making money.

[rebbonk]

I worked with a major UK bank on customer service. At first they thought I was barking mad, but once they saw the results of my teachings they became quite appreciative. The biggest issue is getting through the middle management dross.

[Lex]

A controversial development: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-38093032

[rebbonk]

Now that's ruffled a few feathers!

I really don't think it's the right place for a 24/7 operation with as many lorry movements as being predicted.

[Lex]

More good jobs news, but I'm starting to wonder how long it's going to last; business confidence has been a bit dicey for a while now: http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/unemployment-rate-at-lowest-level-in-over-a-decade-figures-out-today-show-1-7733061

[rebbonk]

I really don't believe it. I have two friends that have been forced off 'benefits' and pushed into being self employed. Neither are making any real money and both are still claiming supplementary benefits. But, they no longer appear on the headline, unemployed figures. I really think it time the government (of whatever colour) came clean on the true figures.

[Lex]

350 jobs under threat; hope a buyer is found: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-39667403

[rebbonk]

My theory on this is that the Chinese only staved off bankruptcy last time in order to gain trade secrets and expertise. It was a cheap way of bringing them up to date with technology. It's a trick I've seen employed many times. BMW with Rover for example!

[Lex]

A bit of good news for Coventry. Shame the council's partially put itself out of a new home though: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/friargate-attracts-major-new-tenant-13121708

[rebbonk]

I think I'll wait and see on this one. There are more questions than answers at the moment.

[Lex]

Another blow for the local car industry: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-40415371

[Lex]

More jobs to go in the car industry: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-41081387

[rebbonk]

Sadly, this was one of the more predictable failures. BUT, there will be more...

[Lex]

A bit of good news to balance it out: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-41093121

[rebbonk]

I really can't see Japan being that big a market, especially when the flip side is that they're buying £70m worth of components.

I know that Rover (and its special products division) had real difficulties selling vehicles in Japan. So much so that they ended up re-importing many of them unused after about 3 years. MG RV8 anyone?

[Lex]

Hopefully not too much to worry about: http://www.stratford-herald.com/75960-unemployment-up-in-warwickshire.html

[Lex]

Lloyds Pharmacies are closing 200 branches. That'll be a lost of lost jobs: http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/lloyds-pharmacy-closing-down-jobs-13816004

[rebbonk]

I have more than a little inside information on Lloyds. Shall we just say that I've been expecting this for a while?

[Lex]

Maybe just a blip in the jobs figures, but I have an inkling the economy is on the verge of another downturn: http://www.stratford-herald.com/81323-figures-show-rise-in-unemployment.html

[rebbonk]

I don't think we've ever gotten out of the last hole. People have talked things up, but I can't say I've noticed things getting noticeably better. - I'm one for trusting my own eyes.

I see that JLR (the golden boys of the area) are not having the best of times either.

Now all we need is the education market to shrink and we're right in the proverbial.

[rebbonk]

And as if by magic...


English company insolvencies rise to four-year high in 2017

The number of company insolvencies in England and Wales rose to their highest since 2013 last year, while personal insolvencies hit a three-year high, government figures showed on Friday.

Some 17,243 companies entered insolvency last year, the highest number since 2013 and 4 percent more than in 2016.

The government agency which published the data said numbers were boosted by two bulk insolvencies caused by a change to tax rules, and that on an underlying basis the total number last year was 15,112, the highest number since 2014.

Individual insolvencies rose by 9 percent on the year to a three-year high of 99,196.

source: Reuters (https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-economy-bankruptcy/english-company-insolvencies-rise-to-four-year-high-in-2017-idUKKBN1FF16U?il=0)

[Lex]

Mostly low skilled/paid jobs, but at least they're jobs: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-42857343

[rebbonk]

Any jobs into the area are welcome, but I worry about recent Amazon centre revelations

[cathidaw]

Mostly low skilled/paid jobs, but at least they're jobs: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-42857343
At least they are jobs How could you ! !

It makes me so angry when I hear of these new jobs--and the peanuts paid.
We hear people grumbling about people on 'benefits'- without knowing what it is like. In the 80s,in the crash,decent hard workers couldn't keep up payments on their mortgages,through no fault of their own were made homeless--and have never picked up their lives again. The number of suicides have not yet been published.
I notice that the critics of benefits are those with money, of pensionable age or politicians.
We all know of those who abuse the system, or those with super large families who expect the earth, but it is wrong to lump them with the others who are working and scraping to keep their lives together
Everyone under a certain wage should get benefits, and large companies should be compelled to pay decent wages.Governments are here to look after its citizens, but look at what they do, sitting up there pontificating about things they no nothing about. Not many are ordinary like us so what do they know.
A leaf from Trumps book would be an idea for them 'Britain First.'.
Benefits paid are pitiful-hardly covering food.So these wages paid by the Amazon project will cause more problems, especially if they pay the insulting minimum wage .Even getting to work costs money, and benefits -- if authorized -- will be swallowed, so they'll be worse off.
I've got that off my chest now. I shall go and look at the special moon and go to bed.

[rebbonk]

You know Cathi, whilst in many ways I applaud the idea of a minimum wage, I can't help but feel it's backfired somewhat. So many companies now only pay the minimum wage whereas before they might have paid more.

I like the idea of Britain First, but we have far too many self interested politicians and PC correct wimps for that to ever happen. The Britain that you and I know is sadly finished.

[cathidaw]

THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE BLUE MOON. today in fact

Once in a blue moon-we all know the expression.
Our politics are shaky, but I'm optimistic.
This may be the 'once in a blue moon' when things turn for the best. Our mess of a government cannot last forever.
Mother Teresa can't keep everything to her chest forever either,whatever she believes.
Up 'til now , the only definite announcement she's ever made is, 'I'm no quitter'.
The rest is secret.
She has her own definition of Prime.
'Prime' is defined as 'chief' , not 'sole' as she appears to believe.
So , for the moment she should be our 'Sole minister'.

Crossing my fingers this magic moon works! ! I had cowslips out in January, didn't I?

[Lex]

250 jobs for the Coventry area, and a company with an ethical business model: https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/bookseller-will-bring-up-to-250-new-jobs-to-warwick-district-1-8712657

[rebbonk]

250 jobs for the Coventry area, and a company with an ethical business model: https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/bookseller-will-bring-up-to-250-new-jobs-to-warwick-district-1-8712657

That looks good

[Lex]

A rare bit of good news for Coventry: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/coventry-jobs-manufacturing-ses-prism-16561488

[rebbonk]

I'm puzzled by this. You can't tell me that they didn't have the skills in the area where they were? - Stinks of 'inducements' to me.

[Lex]

A good example of how statistics can be used for sensationalism; a lot of the people quoted in this article either don't need to work, or are studying: https://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/jobs-concern-as-3-000-households-in-rugby-have-no-working-occupants-1-9027573

[rebbonk]

Lies, damned lies, and statistics. - I used to teach it!

You might like to read "Freakonomics" (Dubner and Levitt) or "How to Lie with Statistics" (Darrell Huff) to see how the woll is really pulled over your eyes.

[Lex]

157 jobs are going at Barclays in Coventry: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/barclays-axe-157-jobs-coventry-17860855

[rebbonk]

That's going to upset a few applecarts. Sadly, I think we're going to see more of this as pressure from internet banking takes hold.

[Mister H]

My take on this is as follows. The banks collapsed in 2008. They remain collapsed. The money goes in, the money goes out, but there's no shaking it all about. The cogs whirr and that's about it.
The western world is submerged underneath Himalayan levels of debt, and nobody knows how it, or even any part, can ever be paid back.
The economic system as such continues, but in a kind of parallel universe with the collapsed financial system.
As I see it, there is now a split within the State between a part which wants a deal with China as some way out of this mess, and the old Washington wing, which wants more of the same that we have had since 1945. Brexit of course is adding to this explosive mix. And of course lets not forget we are still in austerity. Yet massive, seismic pressures are building on the government to spend money it hasn't got and cannot get from tapped out tax payers, and cannot increase the printing presses any more to make money.
The moral is simple - they are desperate, and I mean desperate for YOUR money. And are getting to the stage, I have to say, when they may be prepared to do anything to get it. As Cummings, the brilliant asymmetric warfare guy said, you have to realise these powers are now fighting to preserve the very system itself and what they take from it.

[rebbonk]

Hence negative interest rates!

[Mister H]

Hence negative interest rates!

Sure. In Switzerland they're discussing you actually having to pay THEM to put money with them. When you see journals of the establishment like 'The Economist' saying, in print, that people smuggling, and hard drugs, are a good wheeze to make money (properly regulated of course. - lol) you kind of get the deja vu feeling of the last day of Byzantium.

[Lex]

Bad news from Rolls Royce, Aston Martin & Lookers car dealerships:

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/rolls-royce-announces-hundreds-job-18362047

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52917780

[rebbonk]

Covid is being used as an excuse here. RR and AM were deep in the mire before all of this.

[Lex]

A bit of good news: https://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/packaging-company-move-headquarters-and-200-employees-site-ansty-2897859

[rebbonk]

It's going to start getting busy out there. Those roads were inadequate 45 years ago.