Issue 17

Charities asleep over minimum wage law (277 words)

A number of British charities are believed to be flouting the law by not paying the national minimum wage (NMW) when staff “sleep-over”, says ...

Wealthy see revival in their fortunes (282 words)

The collective wealth of Britain’s 1,000 richest people has increased by almost a third in the past year despite the uncertain economy, according to ...

Manufacturing pay settlements rise (125 words)

The average level of pay settlements in manufacturing has risen very slightly, according to the latest figures from the EEF manufacturers’ organisation. ...

Income inequality (339 words)

Income inequality was much worse under the last Conservative government in the 1980s and early 1990s, according to an election briefing by the respected ...

It is the principal who matters on pay (314 words)

Principals’ pay increased seven times more than lecturers in last year alone, latest figures show. ...

Economic recovery still on course (205 words)

The UK economy grew in the first quarter of 2010 confirming that the recovery is still on course, according to early official estimates. ...

Equality Act gives new rights at work (148 words)

The Equality Bill received Royal Assent before Parliament broke for the general election and so is now law. ...

February sees spike in earnings growth (354 words)

Average earnings showed as sharp rise in February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. ...

Issue 16

Volcanic ash fall-out (265 words)

Employers are under no obligation to pay staff stranded during the volcanic ash incident, legal experts say. ...

Earnings show sharp rise in growth (396 words)

The growth in average weekly earnings has showed a recovery, the latest official figures show. And for once at this time of year, it ...

Unemployment posts an unwelcome rise (531 words)

Unemployment showed an unwelcome bounce, according to latest official data. ...

Inflation hits 18-month high in March (276 words)

Inflation rose sharply to its highest level since September 2008, according to official figures. Under the Retail Prices Index (RPI), inflation was running at ...

More pension schemes face closure (197 words)

Unions have criticised the latest attack on final salary pension schemes. Insurer Aviva is planning to close two schemes to existing members to try ...

Post-election public sector jobs cull warning (192 words)

A post-election push to slash the public deficit is set to threaten the UK’s economic recovery and risk a sharp rise in unemployment, the ...

Issue 15

What the parties say on the minimum wage (249 words)

“We will make work pay better with the goal of a minimum wage rising at least in line with average earnings and a guarantee ...

Donations to political parties in 2009 (112 words)

The Conservative Party had built up a big election war chest by the end of last year, judging by figures from the watchdog, the ...

Tories upset business over retirement age (261 words)

You just can’t please some people. Big business are up in arms over Tory plans to abolish the default retirement age of 65. ...

Growth in UK economy will beat rivals (390 words)

Britain’s economic growth is set to pick up in coming months and outstrip that of the United States, Japan and Germany, according to forecasts ...

Take home pay on road to recovery (396 words)

There has been a recovery in take home pay from its all-time low in February, according to the index figures from pay processors Vocalink. ...

Final salary schemes are back in surplus (186 words)

Private sector final-salary pension schemes have moved back into surplus — just — for the first time since June 2008. ...

Directors’ pay soars (385 words)

The company reporting season is in full swing with the thud of annual reports on investors’ doormats and the thud of large pay cheques ...

Issue 14

Directors' pay (479 words)

Times must be hard when the country is in recession and you can only pick up £4.6 million a year. What's a chief executive ...

New fast track system for tribunals starts (320 words)

Workers awarded payouts from their former employers at employment tribunals will be given extra help to ensure they receive their payments. ...

Acas council gets two union gen secs (138 words)

Employment relations service Acas has appointed two union general secretaries to its council. Dr Mary Bousted and John Hannett will replace members who are ...

Tories ploughed money into failed banks (267 words)

The Conservative Party may be campaigning in the general election on their economic responsibility, but, as the Financial Times newspaper points out, some aspiring ...

Recognition win at wind group (57 words)

General union Unite has won union recognition for service technicians working UK-wide for the Warrington-based Vestas Celtic Wind Technology. ...

Big business attacks public sector pensions (427 words)

UNISON, the UK’s largest public sector trade union, hit back angrily at the CBI business lobby group’s scaremongering, after they claimed that public sector ...

April brings changes to employment law (236 words)

A number of changes to legislation affecting employees have taken effect in early April. ...

Vice-chancellors on a nice little earner (113 words)

Universities spent 11% more on vice-chancellors than in the previous year, a new report reveals. ...

Issue 13

Minimum wage is set to rise in October (297 words)

The minimum wage is se to rise from October after the government accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission. ...

Increase in R&D spending in 2008 (174 words)

Spending on research and development posted an annual increase of 3% in 2008 to £25.6 billion. ...

UK’s trading position improves in 2009 (291 words)

Britain’s trading with the rest of the world improved last year, according to early estimates from the Office for National Statistics. The current account ...

Economy was in better shape at end of year (228 words)

The economy grew faster than thought at the end of 2009, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. ...

Firms to invest in wind turbine manufacture (400 words)

German engineering firm Siemens has announced plans to invest £80 million in the UK for a new offshore wind turbine plant that could create ...

Unite levies support for BA cabin crew (148 words)

Unite, has announced that it will raise £700,000 from it branches to support BA cabin crew in their fight to protect standards and jobs ...

Blueprint set out for the future of pensions (371 words)

Two million pensioners will be lifted out of means-tested benefits through a new simpler state pension system and workers will have the opportunity to ...

Time off to train gives chance for new skills (159 words)

From 6 April 2010 employees will have the right to request time to undertake study or training — also known as “time to train”. ...