In terms of the impacts on different groups, it is apparent that young people are still affected significantly but are starting to regain some of the ground lost in more recent months, and older workers are the group that now appear to be losing out more. Employment has decreased more for men than for women. These impacts are probably due to occupational and sectoral factors – the examples provided include young people benefitting from restrictions being eased in the Autumn and similarly, women from increased public sector employment. There is an indication that job insecurity is on the rise, due to noticeable increases to involuntary temporary and part-time work. There was no marked weakening in the labour market due to the second lockdown, in November 2020, but it inevitably had an impact on the recovery, as it appears that vacancies and hiring were hindered, as lockdown restrictions were made more stringent. The latest figures indicate that there could be a prolonged period of weakness in the labour market, but, if the virus can be contained and the vaccination roll-out is effective, there is nothing to prevent a bounce-back towards the end of 2021. The IES asserts that a priority of the Budget, due to be held on 3 March 2021, must be to support new hiring, jobs growth and measures aimed to assist those who are the most disadvantaged in the labour market.
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New job finding service established to help 160,000 people 8 February 2021
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that a new job finding service is being launched to benefit 160,000 people over the course of the next year, and that support will include job searches and interview preparation. Advice on how to switch careers will also be delivered. The service is designed to run alongside other support that is already available in jobcentres and by Work Coaches, and forms part of the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs. The press release advises that a new team of 325 Job Search Advisers has been established, and that they are contactable either online or over the phone. They will support individuals who are recently unemployed, but who possess the skills and experience required to move into a new career but are unsure of where to start.
It is expected that, over the course of the next 12 months, 160,000 jobseekers will receive digital support and advice, as part of the new Job Finding Support (JFS) service.
The support will be offered across four one-to-one sessions, and the intention is that this will be completed in a few weeks, and offers interview advice, identifies any transferable skills and provides help on the topic of changing industries. Additionally, online group sessions will be hosted, to enhance job search techniques.
Therese Coffey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
“Job Finding Support will help jobseekers brush up on interview skills and advice, giving them a helping hand to move back into work quickly.
Our Plan for Jobs is helping us build back better and fairer, getting job support to people who need it right across Britain and levelling up opportunity.”
Participants to the scheme are referred via their Work Coach and the service is completely voluntary to any jobseekers who have been unemployed for less than 13 weeks and are in receipt of benefits.
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£95,000 cap on public sector redundancy payments revoked 16 February 2021
The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals
Payroll: need to know
cipp.org.uk
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