Worst unemployment rate in 16 years

Hundreds of jobs were lost this month as the economy was rocked by the worst employment figures for 16 years and a public service strike led to rubbish piling up in the streets. 
...read more
Source The Times

UK manufacturing output falls sharply

British manufacturing output fell much more sharply than expected in May, adding to evidence of a slowing economy. Manufacturing production dropped 0.5% from the previous month.
...read more
Source The Times

Staff strike following job news

Staff at a West Midlands electronics component factory have taken industrial action after confirmation that 140 jobs will be transferred to a US factory. Officials at Fujitsu, in Solihull, said it needed to move its printed circuit board operations to the Texas plant.
...read more
Source The BBC

Encore Online...

Encore Personnel has launched a new website in conjunction with web design and development company Optimal Internet. The site has been updated with a new emphasis given to job searching with the creation of an online job board facility. Functionality of the site has also been improved to ease navigation for both clients and candidates..
www.encorepersonnel.co.uk

Office laughter

Laughter is the key to increased productivity, according to office search website officebroker.com. Jim Venables, managing director said: “An upbeat working environment creates a better atmosphere and when used appropriately, humour can encourage higher staff morale and more energy.”
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Source The Recruiter

Employers need more support to be positive about pregnancy

Nicola Brewer, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission has suggested this month that the extension of women’s maternity rights may lead to discrimination against women of a child bearing age. 
...read more
Source The REC

The new Equality Bill

It has been billed as a landmark move to end discrimination, making it easier for women to demand equal pay and ending age discrimination. The Cabinet Office refers to it as "positive action" rather than "positive discrimination" - but what will the Equality Bill mean in practice for working women, travelling pensioners and Club 18-30 holidaymakers?
...read more
Source The BBC

European test case could give over 65's the right to stay at work

A test case on age discrimination which goes to the European court of justice in Luxembourg early next month could open the way for employees in Britain to insist on working past 65.
...read more
Source The Guardian

This Month’s
Business Round-Up

Drax has awarded a contract to Alstom to build a £50m biomass plant at its power station in North Yorkshire, in order to burn wood and up to 50 other fuels.Drax, Drax Power Station, PO Box 3, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 8PQ
Tel: 01757 618381 http://www.draxpower.com/

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Spear & Jackson is to shed up to 60 of the 140 jobs at its tools factory in Sheffield, in order to transfer production of wood saws and hand tools abroad.
Spear & Jackson, Atlas Way, Atlas North, Sheffield, S4 7QQ
Tel: 0114 2814242
http://www.spear-and-jackson.com/

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Indesit is to close its refrigerator factory in Peterborough in October, with the loss of about 420 jobs.
Indesit, Morley Way, Peterborough, PE2 9JB
Tel: 01733 568989
http://www.indesit.com/

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Jeyes has sold its private-label wet-wipes production facility in Wigan to Nice-Pak International, with the transfer of 125 staff.
Jeyes, Brunel Way, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 1HF
Tel: n/a
http://www.jeyes.co.uk/

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Royal Mail has confirmed plans to close its Caversham Road sorting office in Reading by June 2009, with the loss of 400 jobs.
Royal Mail, Royal Mail House, 148 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HQ
Tel: 0845 7740740
http://www.royalmail.com/

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Gazeley, the industrial property developer, is to be sold by Asda Wal-Mart to Dubai World for more than £300m.
Gazeley, 26 Rockingham Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, MK14 6PD
Tel: 01908 838100
http://www.gazeley.co.uk/

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Royal Crown Derby is to shed up to 30 of the 230 jobs at its china manufacturing business in Derby, following a fall in demand.
Royal Crown Derby, 194 Osmaston Road, Derby, DE23 8JZ
Tel: n/a
http://www.royal-crown-derby.co.uk/

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Melrose has agreed to acquire FKI, the engineering group that includes 700 staff in Loughborough, for £478m.
Melrose, Cleveland House, 33 King Street, London, SW1Y 6RJ
Tel: 020 77667670
http://www.melroseplc.net/
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George Adams & Sons is to shed up to 44 jobs at its meat products factory in Spalding factory, and a further 112 could follow.
George Adams & Sons, Crescent Hse Fulney Lane, Spalding, PE12 6EZ
Tel: 01775 766161
http://www.geo-adams.co.uk/
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Aston Martin is to shed up to 60 temporary jobs at its luxury car headquarters in Warwickshire.
Aston Martin, Banbury Rd, Warwickshire, CV35 0DB
Tel: 01908 610620
http://www.astonmartin.com/


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