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A report published yesterday suggested that the children of working mothers were likely to be less healthy than those whose mothers remained at home. The report, based on a survey of 5 year olds across Britain, found that those whose mothers juggled family and working life watched more television and had a less healthy diet. It is the sort of report which will inflame passions, re-opening the divide between those who believe that mothers should work, and those who do not. But does it really tell us anything at all? (more…)

The apprenticeship scheme, created by government and fronted by Alan Sugar is coming under fire for being ineffectual. The scheme, which has cost nearly £3 million and aims to create 400,000 apprenticeships over the next ten years has so far managed to find jobs for just 1,000 people. So is it just an expensive gimmick, or is it a scheme of value? (more…)

Reading the financial press this weekend left me somewhat confused. The sharp rise in share and commodity prices over the past month seems to have all commentators in agreement that the recession is entering a new phase. But they are split down the middle on whether we are at the beginning of an economic revival, or whether the recent rises are a ‘bear market rally’, meaning a temporary respite before another steep fall. There does however seem to be a general consensus that unemployment will continue to rise. And that is the most confusing prediction of all. (more…)

One in ten employers in the UK are finding it difficult to recruit the staff they need, according to Manpower’s Annual Talent Shortage Survey. The Managing Director of Manpower interpreted this figure as meaning that employers are still struggling to recruit people with the skills they require. But even if this interpretation is correct, does this report paint a black picture, or a rosy one?

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Compare these two statements, taken from the BBC web site:

“I’m not saying green shoots or anything like that by any means but I am saying that whilst we have not reached the bottom, the rate of decline appears to have slowed”

“Unemployment is the country’s number one emergency and the government must use all possible means to address it.”

Which one was made by a government minister? (more…)

It may seem odd to discuss this when redundancies are rife and unemployment soaring but far sighted employers are already beginning to think about how they will be able to retain their key staff once the recession is over. Why? Because when the economy revives  many new job opportunities will come on to the market and top staff may well be tempted by attractive packages offered by competitors.

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There was a report this weekend that a new internship scheme is to be introduced. Instead of receiving benefits, graduates who cannot get jobs on the open market will be offered work as interns in participating companies, with government picking up the bill. This is short termism at its best. (more…)

Unemployment is rising, heading for 2.5 million. Yet Monster claims to have ‘thousands of jobs’, with nearly 4,000 being posted yesterday alone. Really? What’s going on?

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